Illinois Cottage Food Laws (2026)

✓ Verified against official sources · Aug 20, 2026Home-to-Market Act (SB 2007, P.A. 102-0633, 2021, effective 2022-01-01), amending 410 ILCS 625/4 (Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act)

License: Registration
Annual sales cap: No sales cap
Government fees: $0
Training: RequiredANSI/ANAB-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) course and exam (IDPH-recognized)
Regulator: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) sets statewide rules and labeling guidance; registration is filed with the operator's local county/city Health Department.Handled at both level

What you can and can’t make

Allowed

Baked goods (no cream/custard fillings)
Candy & chocolate
Jams & jellies (standard high-acid)
Dried fruit
Granola & cereal
Roasted nuts & nut butters
Popcorn & caramel corn
Honey
Dry tea & roasted coffee
Dry baking/soup mixes
Spices & seasoning blends
Vinegars & mustards
Extracts (alcohol base)
Pickles & hot sauces (pH-tested)
Fermented foods (pH-tested, non-kombucha)
Canned tomatoes (tested recipe)
Buttercream frosting with dairy / eggs
Baked goods with cheese (conditions apply)
Dry egg noodles
Cut leafy greens (dehydrated, acidified, or blanched & frozen)
Salad dressings & infused oils (conditions apply)

Not allowed

Raw meat, poultry, fish & shellfish
Fresh dairy products
Raw / shell eggs (sold alone)
Cream, custard & meringue fillings
Garlic in oil (unacidified)
Low-acid canned foods
Sprouts
Raw cut leafy greens
Fresh-cut tomatoes & melons
Dehydrated tomatoes & melons
Frozen cut melon
Wild-harvested mushrooms
Alcoholic beverages
Kombucha & fermented drinks

Label requirements

Every product label must include:

Product name
Business / operation name
Permit or registration number
County that issued the permit
Ingredients, in descending order by weight
Net weight in both US and metric units
FDA major allergen declaration
Home kitchen statement (exact wording below)
Date produced

Required statement, word for word:

“This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.”

placement: The product label must state this in 'prominent lettering' (the statute sets no specific point size). A separate placard is also required at the point of sale, or a prominent notice on the order page for online sales — the placard/online text is shorter: 'This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens.' (omitting the second sentence about contacting the health department). · The disclosure is also required in ads and online listings · Statute: 410 ILCS 625/4(b)(7)(E) (label statement); (b)(10) (point-of-sale/online notice)

Generate a Illinois-compliant label

Where you can sell

Online orders	Yes
Shipping within the state	Yes
Across state lines	No
Stores, cafés & other resellers	No
Third-party delivery apps	Yes

What it costs to start

Permit / registration feeFree registration$0
Food safety course (required)ANSI/ANAB-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) course and exam (IDPH-recognized)$10–$30
Labels, bags & packaging (first batch)$30–$60
LLC formation (optional)Plus your state's filing fee$39
Liability insurance (optional)Per month, from FLIP$26
Likely minimum to start (required items)from $40

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell food from home in Illinois?

You must register, but there is no inspection-based license. Registration is the main requirement.

How much can a cottage food business sell per year in Illinois?

Illinois currently has no annual sales cap for cottage food operations.

Can I sell my homemade food online in Illinois?

Yes, online orders are allowed, and you can ship within the state. Sales across state lines are not allowed.

What has to be on a cottage food label in Illinois?

9 required elements, including the exact statement: “This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.”. See the labeling section for the full list (410 ILCS 625/4(b)(7)(E) (label statement); (b)(10) (point-of-sale/online notice)).

Who regulates cottage food in Illinois?

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) sets statewide rules and labeling guidance; registration is filed with the operator's local county/city Health Department..

Recent law changes

2022-01-01 (SB 2007 / P.A. 102-0633) — The Home-to-Market Act took effect, replacing the 2018 expanded Cottage Food Operation Law and the narrower, county-opt-in 2014 Home Kitchen Operation (PA 098-0643) with a single unified registration system that removes the sales cap, allows any food not explicitly prohibited, caps the registration fee at $50/year, and requires ANSI-certified Food Protection Manager training.
2025-01-01 (P.A. 103-903) — Added mobile farmers markets as a legal direct-sales channel; counties without their own health department may contract with a neighboring county's health department to handle registrations.
2025-08-15 (P.A. 104-417) — A new round of amendments to 410 ILCS 625/4 took effect (see statute source line); the specific provisions were not individually verified this round and are flagged as pending.
2026 — IDPH and Illinois Extension jointly updated the 2026 Cottage Food Guide (including a Spanish version), clarifying rules for freeze-dried foods, reusable packaging, dual operation (holding both a retail food license and cottage food registration), and label requirements for full production date and net weight.

Official sources

This guide was compiled from the following primary sources, last reviewed on Aug 20, 2026:

Next steps after the permit

Registering with Illinois is step one. Most sellers also sort out three things before their first market day:

Food safety training (required in this state). Illinois requires an approved food safety course — check the training section above for what qualifies. Learn2Serve by 360training — ANSI-accredited food handler courses accepted in most states — done online in about two hours.
Business structure. A sole proprietorship is fine to start; an LLC separates business liability from your family finances. Northwest Registered Agent — Registers your LLC and acts as your registered agent, so your home address stays off public filings.
Liability insurance. Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) — Liability coverage built for home food businesses, from about $25/month. Many markets require proof of insurance.

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