Why this matters
What Tennessee actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Tennessee Food Freedom Act (HB 813, 2022; amended HB 130, effective July 1, 2025), T.C.A. § 53-1-118. One of the most permissive food freedom laws in the U.S.
Annual revenue cap
Tennessee sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Tennessee — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Tennessee does not require state registration.
- Registration
Not required
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Not required
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- Unpasteurized Milk
- Alcohol
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Meat
- Meat Byproducts
- Cannabis Cbd
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Tennessee.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Tennessee's cottage food lane. Temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items often require a different path; check the state-specific food categories above.
Label every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, and allergens per Tennessee rules.
Start taking orders
Tennessee allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Tennessee cottage food — your questions answered.
Do I need to register with Tennessee to sell cottage food?
No. The Tennessee Food Freedom Act (HB 813, 2022, amended by HB 130 effective July 1, 2025; T.C.A. § 53-1-118) requires no permit, no registration, and no fees. Municipalities are preempted from adding their own regulations. There is no revenue cap.
What changed with HB 130 in July 2025?
Tennessee expanded to allow TCS foods from home kitchens. Poultry products can now be sold if you use the 1,000-bird exemption (9 CFR 381.10(d)) OR federally/state-inspected poultry — up to 75 lbs per transaction. Pasteurized dairy in food items (quiches, cream soups, dairy-based desserts) is now allowed. Raw milk, fish, shellfish, red meat (beef, pork, lamb), meat byproducts, and alcohol remain prohibited.
Can I sell low-acid canned foods?
Yes — Tennessee is one of only about three US states that allows home-prepared low-acid canned and acidified foods. This is extremely rare among cottage food regimes.
What are the rules for shipping and delivery?
For non-TCS foods: direct sales, online, in-state shipping, and wholesale to retail stores are all allowed (but NOT restaurants — restaurants cannot resell or use cottage food products). For TCS foods (poultry and pasteurized dairy): in-person sales only, direct to consumer or via agent/employee. No shipping of TCS, no wholesale of TCS. Interstate is prohibited for both categories.
What does my label need?
Producer contact info, ingredients, allergens, product name, and a statement that the product is homemade and sold under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act.
Tennessee cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Tennessee does not require state registration for the cottage food lane. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. Tennessee allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food license in Tennessee?
Not for the cottage food lane in the current data. Tennessee may still have label, food-category, local zoning, or other business rules, so check the official source before you sell.
What foods can I sell from home in Tennessee?
Tennessee's cottage food lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include unpasteurized milk, alcohol, fish, shellfish, meat.