New Jersey Home Bakery Cottage Food Operator Permit

After years as the only state without cottage food sales, New Jersey adopted a statewide Home Baker Permit (N.J.A.C. 8:24-12) administered by the Department of Health. Permitted home bakers may sell non-potentially-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers up to $50,000 in annual gross sales. State rules set uniform labeling, kitchen, and food-safety standards. Municipalities cannot impose additional retail food licensing on permitted home bakers, though local zoning still governs whether a home occupation is allowed.

Selling baked goods without the state Home Baker Permit, or selling prohibited items like cream-filled pastries, can result in cease-and-desist orders and fines from the Department of Health.