Iowa Cottage Food Law Under Code Section 137F.20

Under Iowa Code 137F.20, cottage food means food produced at a private residence that is not time/temperature control for safety food. Such residences are excluded from the chapter 137F definition of food establishment, meaning no state license or inspection is required. Producers must label products with name and address, product description, ingredients in descending order, an exemption statement, and a canning date for home-canned items. Cottage food may be sold directly or at temporary food establishments operated by the producer. The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing administers the program statewide, and Iowa Admin Code 481-30.13 provides the regulatory detail.

Selling time/temperature-controlled foods as cottage food, omitting required labels, or distributing through unauthorized channels can trigger embargo, civil penalties, and food establishment licensing requirements under chapter 137F.