Alabama Cottage Food Operations Law: Statewide Home Business Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: Code §22-20-5.1
Sales cap: $20,000 per year
Training: Every five years
Sales channel: Direct-to-consumer only
Regulator: Alabama Department of Public Health

Full Breakdown

Code of Alabama §22-20-5.1 authorizes home cottage food operations producing baked goods, jams, jellies, candies, and dried herbs without commercial kitchen licensing. Producers must complete an approved food-safety course every five years, sell only direct-to-consumer (no wholesale, no internet shipping), and label each product with producer name, address, ingredients, and the disclaimer 'Not produced in an inspected kitchen.' Annual gross sales cannot exceed $20,000 per household. The Alabama Department of Public Health enforces statewide; municipalities can require business licenses but cannot impose additional inspection mandates that conflict with the statute.

Violations & Penalties

Selling prohibited foods, exceeding sales cap, or omitting labels can trigger ADPH cease-and-desist orders and product embargoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship cottage foods across Alabama state lines?

No. State law restricts cottage food sales to in-person, direct-to-consumer transactions. Internet sales with shipping and wholesale distribution are not permitted under §22-20-5.1.

Do cities require their own cottage food permits?

Cities may require general business licenses but cannot impose health-inspection requirements on cottage food producers because state law preempts that area through ADPH oversight.

Alabama Cottage Food Law Statewide Rules