Louisiana Cottage Food Law: Labeling and Sales Guide
Cottage food regulations for Louisiana — sales limits, allowed and prohibited products, labeling requirements, and where you can sell direct-to-consumer.
Quick Answer
Louisiana caps most cottage food at $30,000 in gross annual sales, but breads, cakes, cookies, and pies have no cap (sold direct-to-consumer only). Louisiana is unusually broad on products — it permits cream-filled pastries, cream pies, and custard pies when made with pasteurized dairy. Many shelf-stable items (jams, honey, pickles, candy, sauces) may be sold wholesale to stores and restaurants, while baked goods may not. Producers register for state and local sales-tax certificates before selling.
Louisiana Cottage Food Law: At a Glance
| Law / Program | Louisiana Cottage Food Law |
| Enacted / Last Amended | 2013; expanded 2014 and later |
| Annual Sales Limit | $30,000 gross annual sales (breads, cakes, cookies, and pies have no cap but are direct-sale only) |
| Statute Citation | La. R.S. 40:4.9 |
| Enforcing Agency | Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) |
Allowed Cottage Food Products
- ✓Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies (no cap, direct-sale only)
- ✓Cream-filled pastries, cream pies, and custard pies (made with pasteurized dairy)
- ✓Candies and cane syrup
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Pickles and acidified foods
- ✓Shelf-stable sauces, syrups, and spices
- ✓Honey and honeycomb, dried mixes
Products NOT Permitted Under Cottage Food
- ✗Foods requiring refrigeration / time-and-temperature control
- ✗Meat, fish, or animal-muscle protein
- ✗Raw doughs and juices
- ✗Fermented foods and low-acid canned foods
- ✗CBD products
Where You Can Sell
- •Shelf-stable items (jams, honey, pickles, candy, sauces, cream-filled pastries): direct AND wholesale to stores/restaurants
- •Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies: direct-to-consumer only (no wholesale)
- •Farmers markets, events, and from the home
- •Requires Louisiana and local sales-tax certificates before selling
Louisiana Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
- 1Product name
- 2Producer's name and address
- 3Comprehensive ingredient list
- 4Net quantity in US and metric units
- 5Statement that clearly indicates the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility
Louisiana Cottage Food FAQs
What is Louisiana's cottage food sales cap?
$30,000 in gross annual sales for most products. Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies are exempt from the cap but may only be sold direct-to-consumer.
Can I sell cream pies in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana uniquely allows cream-filled pastries, cream pies, and custard pies, provided they are made with pasteurized dairy products.
Can I sell cottage food wholesale in Louisiana?
Many shelf-stable items (jams, honey, pickles, candy, sauces, cream-filled pastries) may be sold wholesale to stores and restaurants. Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies may not — those are direct-only.
Do I need to register in Louisiana?
You must obtain a Louisiana General Sales Tax Certificate from the Department of Revenue, plus a local sales-tax certificate for each area you sell in, before selling cottage food products.
What must the label say?
Product name, producer's name and address, a full ingredient list, net quantity in US and metric units, and a statement clearly indicating the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.
Related Guides for Cottage Food Producers
Homemade Food Labels
What's required on cottage food labels even when nutrition facts panels are exempt.
FDA Small Business Exemption
When the FDA waives nutrition label requirements — federal rules layered on top of state cottage food laws.
Allergen Labeling Rules
FALCPA + FASTER Act: the 9 major allergens that must be disclosed on every food label — including cottage food.
Scaling Beyond Cottage Food?
When you exceed your state's cottage food limit or move to retail distribution, you need a full FDA Nutrition Facts label. Generate one free in 3 minutes.
Open Free Generator