Auburn, AL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Auburn does not set its own cottage food standards; the activity is controlled by Alabama state law under the 2021 "Home Sweet Home Act" (SB 160), which amended the state's Cottage Food Law and is administered by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) through county health departments. The 2021 update greatly expanded the list of allowed non-potentially-hazardous foods (candies; jams, jellies, preserves and marmalades; baked goods such as cakes, cookies, breads and pies; candied or roasted nuts; popcorn; roasted coffee; dried baking mixes; and acid/low-water-activity items), removed the prior gross-sales cap, and allowed in-state online sales and shipping directly to consumers. Foods requiring time/temperature control for safety - meats, milk products, soft or hard cheeses, custard or cream pies, garlic-in-oil, and kombucha - remain prohibited. Operators must attend and pass an ADPH-approved food safety course (such as Alabama Extension or an ANSI-accredited program) and maintain current certification, register the business with the county health department, and have labels approved. Labels must use at least 10-point font and include the producer's name, physical address or P.O. box, the statement that the product may contain allergens and is not inspected by the health department, and ingredients in descending order by weight. Locally in Auburn, producing cottage food at home is treated as a home occupation, so a city home occupation zoning certificate (Zoning Ordinance Section 511.04) and a business license may also be required.