Oregon Cottage Food Exemption for Shelf-Stable Foods (ORS 616.723)

ORS 616.723 exempts producers of non-potentially-hazardous, shelf-stable foods, such as baked goods, jams, candies, and dried herbs, from Oregon Department of Agriculture food-establishment licensing and inspection. The exemption is self-executing: no application or kitchen inspection is required. Annual gross sales are capped and adjusted yearly for inflation using the West Region CPI, reaching $52,700 in 2026. Sales must be direct to the end consumer, and each package must be labeled with the producer's name, ingredients, allergens, and a statement that the food was made in a home kitchen not licensed by ODA. Refrigerated and other potentially hazardous foods are excluded.

Exceeding the annual cap, selling through retailers or across state lines, or omitting required labeling forfeits the exemption and can trigger ODA enforcement and civil penalties under ORS 616.992.