Cottage Food Operation Registration - Class A

If you plan to sell your food in-person directly to consumers (aka "direct sales") from your home or at community events, bake sales, farm stands, farmers markets, or other locations, you need a cottage food operation registration. 

Cottage Food Operation Permit - Class B

If, in addition to direct sales, you plan to also sell your food indirectly from local shops (wholesale), restaurants or other third-party locations, you need a cottage food operation permit.

These are the steps to take to obtain your cottage food operation permit or registration.

To sell cottage food products at community events you must obtain a temporary food facility permit.

Labeling

Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations.

Complete federal labeling requirements may be found in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Title 21.

Labels shall include:

1. Home kitchen identification
2. Common or descriptive name
3. CFO identification
4. Registration or permit number
5. Ingredients
6. Net quantity
7. Allergens
8. English language
9. Nutrient content claim
10. Health claim
11. Nutrition fact panel

Label Example

Labeling requirements are the same for Class A and Class B; the identifier listed is either "Registration #" for Class A or "Permit #" for Class B.

Nutrition Fact Panel Example

Packaging

Any packaging materials that come into contact with the cottage food product by touching the product or penetrating the packaging must be food-grade (safe for food contact) and not contaminate the food.

Labels must be affixed to the packaging.

Packaging Example

Packaging consists of 6 1/2" x 5 1/2" clear, fold top plastic twist ties. Two chocolate chip cookies will be placed in each bag and the bag will be sealed closed. A computer-generated self-stick label will be placed on each bag.

Download the application packet (PDF: 1,597 Kb)

Food Fee Schedule (PDF: 22 Kb)

Copies of labels for each cottage food product you are proposing to manufacture must be included with your application.

Download the application packet (PDF: 1,017 KB)

Food Fee Schedule (PDF: 22 Kb)

Copies of labels for each cottage food product you are proposing to manufacture must be included with your application.

California law requires that a canner of certain acidified foods and/or thermally processed low-acid canned foods (LACF) must obtain a Cannery License, issued by the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB), prior to initiating processing operations.

• State of California Cannery Inspection Program - Food and Drug Branch
• Procedure for Obtaining a Cannery License(PDF: 38Kb)

California Health and Safety Code Section 110460 requires businesses that manufacture, repack, label, or warehouse processed food products in this State to register with the Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch.

• California Food and Drug Branch - Processed Foods Registration
• Procedure for Obtaining a Processed Foods Registration(PDF: 40 Kb)