Louisiana Cottage Food Law (2026): Selling Baked Goods from Home

At a glance

Sales limit

Up to $100,000 a year in sales.

License or permit

Yes: Local sales tax certificate (no food permit, license or LDH registration) (fee: Not addressed in the statute; set by each parish).

Food safety training

No food safety training is required by the state.

Online orders

Not addressed by R.S. 40:4.9 or LDH pages found.

Label statement

“This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.”

Low-risk foods prepared in the home for sale

La. R.S. 40:4.9 (Low-risk foods; preparation in home for public consumption); see also LAC 51:XXIII-1103 (Sanitary Code, food source) · Acts 1991, No. 603; amended by Acts 1995 No. 977, 1997 No. 658, 2013 No. 370, 2014 Nos. 542 and 789, 2015 No. 45, 2019 No. 164, 2022 No. 357 (HB 828, cap $20,000 to $30,000), and 2026 No. 801 (HB 403, cap $30,000 to $100,000)

Yearly sales limit

$100,000
The exemption does not apply to a preparer whose gross annual sales equal $100,000 or more (R.S. 40:4.9(B) as amended by Act 801 of 2026, effective 2026-08-01). Before 2026-08-01 the cap was $30,000 (Act 357 of 2022). Stay under the cap. No inflation adjustment. The legislature's online copy of R.S. 40:4.9 still showed $30,000 on 2026-11-03 (history ends at Acts 2022, No. 357; not yet updated). Whether 'annual' means calendar year is not addressed.

Permit or registration

Yes
Local sales tax certificate (no food permit, license or LDH registration)
Sales and use tax collector for the parish where sales occur
Fee: Not addressed in the statute; set by each parish
Official page

Food safety training

Where you make it

In the home (R.S. 40:4.9(A)(1)(a)); primary residence not addressed. For cane syrup, 'the home' may include an open-sided structure on private property. Breads, cakes, cookies and pies: outside openings protected against flies and vermin; building must exclude rats, mice, roaches and other vermin; no pets in any area where they are prepared or baked; equipment clean, sanitary and easily cleanable; perishable ingredients kept at 45 F or below; food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each day's production (R.S. 40:4.9(A)(2)). A baker of breads, cakes, cookies or pies who employs anyone to help make them loses the exemption (R.S. 40:4.9(A)(1)(b)).

Selling in person

Allowed: the statute exempts preparation 'in the home for sale' and does not limit where sales take place (from home, farmers markets, events not restricted by R.S. 40:4.9)

Phone and online orders

Not addressed by R.S. 40:4.9 or LDH pages found

Delivery and shipping

Not addressed

Selling out of state

Not addressed by statute; Home and Hearth Baker supports in-state sales only

Stores and wholesale

Breads, cakes, cookies and pies: not allowed (no sales to a retail business or individual for resale, R.S. 40:4.9(C)). Other low-risk foods: not barred by the statute, but LAC 51:XXIII-1103 says food prepared in a private home may not be used or offered in any food establishment or retail food store/market (see open questions)

Examples you can sell

Low-risk foods, which 'shall include' the nine categories in R.S. 40:4.9(E); none may contain any animal muscle protein or fish protein. Home and Hearth Baker covers only shelf-stable items.

Baked goods, including breads, cakes, cookies, and pies
Candies
Cane syrup
Dried mixes
Honey and honeycomb products
Jams, jellies, and preserves
Pickles and acidified foods
Sauces and syrups
Spices

Not allowed

Any food containing animal muscle protein or fish protein (R.S. 40:4.9(E))
Any food containing cannabidiol (CBD), unless the U.S. FDA approves cannabidiol as a food additive (R.S. 40:4.9(F))
Unwholesome food (R.S. 40:4.9(A)(1)(a))
Custard or cream-filled bakery products are allowed by the statute only with pasteurized milk and set cooking and chilling rules (R.S. 40:4.9(A)(2)(d)-(h)); they need refrigeration, so Home and Hearth Baker does not support them

The statement your labels must carry

This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.

Common questions about Louisiana’s cottage food law

Can I sell baked goods from home in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana lets home bakers sell food made in their own kitchen as a low-risk foods prepared in the home for sale. Most baked goods that don’t need refrigeration qualify; see the examples on this page.

Do I need a license or permit to sell baked goods in Louisiana?

Yes: Local sales tax certificate (no food permit, license or LDH registration) (fee: Not addressed in the statute; set by each parish).

How much can I sell from home in Louisiana?

Up to $100,000 a year in sales.

Do I need food safety training in Louisiana?

No food safety training is required by the state.

Can I sell online or ship my baked goods in Louisiana?

Online and phone orders: Not addressed by R.S. 40:4.9 or LDH pages found. Delivery and shipping: Not addressed.

What must a cottage food label say in Louisiana?

Labels must carry this statement: “This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.”. Most states also require the product name, ingredients in order of weight, allergens, net weight, and your name and address.

Selling home-baked goods in Louisiana