Why this matters
What Illinois actually allows — and what it doesn't.
410 ILCS 625 (Home-to-Market Act, 2022 amendment of Illinois Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act)
Annual revenue cap
Illinois sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Required label language
Every package carries a statutory disclaimer.
The disclaimer below must appear on every package, in the exact casing the statute specifies:
Required on every label
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.
— 410 ILCS 625 (Home-to-Market Act / Illinois Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Illinois — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
NoNoInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Illinois requires registration before you sell.
- Registration
Required
Type: registration
- Registration cost
$50
- Timeline
About 28 days
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: cfpm
- Address privacy
Available
Via registration id
Prohibited categories
What you can't sell under cottage food rules.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Pumpkin Pies
- Custard Pies
- Cheesecakes
- Cream Pies
- Garlic In Oil
- Low Acid Canned Goods
- Sprouts
- Cut Leafy Greens
- Cut Produce
- Wild Mushrooms
- Kombucha
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Illinois.
Confirm your products qualify
Verify your menu fits Illinois's cottage food rules. Most states restrict temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items; check the prohibited-foods list above.
Register with your state agency
Illinois requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration cost is $50. Expect about 28 days for processing.
Illinois registration portalComplete food safety certification
Illinois requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: cfpm.
Label every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, allergens, and the statute-required disclaimer verbatim.
Start taking orders
Illinois allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels — third-party couriers are not permitted here.