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Can I sell food from home in Indiana?
Indiana cottage food law at a glance
| Home food sales allowed | yes Home-Based Vendor (HBV); plus Homestead Vendor / Small Farm tier (HEA 1424, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Law | IC 16-42-5.3 (home-based vendors; amended by HEA 1149, 2022); IC 16-42-5.4 (homestead vendors and small farms; HEA 1424, P.L. 163-2026, eff. July 1, 2026) |
| Sales cap | Home-based vendor: no cap. Homestead vendor / small farm: $1.5 million gross annual sales. |
| Permit or registration | none. No license or routine inspection; inspection only for complaints, misbranding, or adulteration. An HBV must hold an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate and give a copy to the county health department. Homestead vendors need one only to ship or deliver. Local governments may not require licensing or inspection. |
| Sell in person | yes |
| Take online orders | yes |
| Ship within the state | yes |
| Ship to other states | no |
| Sell to shops and cafes | no |
| Where you can sell, details | HBV: sell to the end consumer in person, by phone, or online; deliver in person, by mail, or by third-party carrier, in tamper-evident packaging. Keep delivery address records 1 year and post labels on your website. No resale. Homestead vendors sell on their property, at farmers markets, online, or by delivery. No shipping outside Indiana for either tier. |
yes = allowed; limited = allowed with conditions; no = not allowed; unverified = we could not confirm it from an official source.
What foods can you sell from home in Indiana?
Allowed: HBV: non-TCS foods only, e.g. baked goods, cookies, breads, candy, chocolate, high-acid fruit jams and jellies, fruit butters, nut butters, dried pasta, granola, popcorn, roasted coffee, honey, maple syrup, dried herbs, spices, teas. Homestead tier also allows prepared foods, produce, natural sweeteners, fruit spreads, and meat from animals raised on the property (processed under IC 15-17-5).
Not allowed: HBV: TCS foods; pickled, acidified, or fermented foods; low-acid or low-sugar jams (e.g. pepper jelly); cheesecake and cream or custard pies; meat; dairy products; kombucha and alcohol; CBD and delta-8; homemade extracts; supplements; raw milk. Pet treats are regulated by the Office of Indiana State Chemist.
Label requirements in Indiana
Required statement: This product is home produced and processed, and the production area has not been inspected by the state department of health. NOT FOR RESALE. exact wording from an official source
Other label items: HBV (label, or sign if unpackaged): producer name and address (no P.O. box); common name; ingredients by weight; net weight or volume; processing date; statement in at least 10-point type. Homestead/small farm labels need name, address, ingredients, description, and allergen cross-contact info. Their 10-point statement: This product was produced by a homestead vendor or the owner of a small farm that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.
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HEA 1424 (2026) created the homestead vendor and small farm tier, effective July 1, 2026, and the HBV law stays in force (IDOH memo, May 26, 2026). HEA 1149 (2022) added internet, mail, and carrier sales and required the food handler certificate. Selling across state lines requires FDA registration as a manufactured food business.
Sources
- Indiana Dept. of Health - Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) official
- Indiana Dept. of Health memo - Farm and Homestead Food Sales (May 26, 2026) official
- IDOH Retail Food Guidance Documents (HBV section) official
- Forrager - Indiana homestead vendor law secondary
Last checked: 2026-10-24 · confidence: high (high = key facts confirmed on an official page; medium = partly confirmed or secondary sources agree; low = a single secondary or outdated source). Summaries are our own wording, not the text of the law.
This page is a research summary, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm with your state agency and local health department, using the official sources below, before you sell.