Indiana — the rules

Selling Food From Home in Indiana: Cottage Food Rules (2026)

Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Indiana, under the Home-Based Vendor (IC 16-42-5.3, expanded by HEA 1149 in 2022). There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.

Indiana at a glance

Home food sales	Allowed
Program	Home-Based Vendor (IC 16-42-5.3, expanded by HEA 1149 in 2022)
Annual sales cap	None specified
Sales channels	Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery)

What foods are covered

non-TCS (non-potentially-hazardous) only: baked goods, candies, jams/jellies, dry mixes, breads including sourdough; TCS foods (raw/heat-treated animal foods, cut melon, garlic-in-oil, cream-filled items) prohibited

Permits and registration

No permit, registration, or government fee. Must obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate (valid 3 years, copy provided to local health department), follow labeling rules including the 'NOT FOR RESALE' home-produced statement, and keep delivery/shipping records for 1 year. Direct-to-end-consumer only (no wholesale/resale), but sales may be in person, by phone, or online, with delivery in person, by mail, or third-party carrier -- within Indiana only.

Going legal in Indiana: the plate-seller checklist

Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.

Sources and verification

Verified 2026-07 against: www.in.gov · www.in.gov. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.

Questions people ask

Is it legal to sell food from home in Indiana?

Yes — under Home-Based Vendor (IC 16-42-5.3, expanded by HEA 1149 in 2022). Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.

How much can you sell under Indiana's cottage food law?

Indiana does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.

Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Indiana?