Tennessee's Domestic Kitchen exemption (TN §53-1-102) allows home production of non-hazardous foods with no revenue cap. No license required. Metro Nashville does not add local restrictions.
Tennessee is among the most permissive cottage food states. TN Code §53-1-102 (Domestic Kitchen Exemption) allows production of non-potentially hazardous foods (breads, cookies, jams, jellies, candies, dry mixes, dried herbs) with NO revenue cap, NO license requirement, and NO inspection as long as products are sold direct-to-consumer. As of 2022, TN law permits sales at farmers markets, online with in-person or shipped delivery within Tennessee, and from home. Products must be labeled with: producer name/address, product name, ingredients in descending order, allergens, net weight, and the disclaimer 'This product was made in a home kitchen and is not subject to inspection by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.' Metro Nashville has no additional licensing layer for cottage food. Commercial kitchen licensing applies only when producing potentially hazardous items (meat, dairy, canned low-acid vegetables).
Selling TCS/hazardous foods under cottage exemption: TDA cease and desist. Labeling violations: warnings then civil penalty up to $500. No Metro-level cottage food penalties.
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See how Davidson County's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
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