In Alabama, you can sell homemade non-perishable foods with no state permit, no routine inspection, and no sales cap — the old $20,000 limit is gone. The one requirement is an ADPH-approved food-safety course. This guide covers exactly what you can sell, how to label it, where you can sell it, and how to start this week.
The short version: Alabama removed its $20,000 cap, so cottage food income is now unlimited. You don't need a state permit or kitchen inspection — just complete an Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)-approved food-safety course and keep it current. You can sell non-perishable baked goods, jams, candies, and dried foods directly to consumers in Alabama. Acidified foods like pickles and hot sauce are not allowed. Label every product with your name, address, ingredients, and the "not inspected by the health department" statement.
No. Alabama eliminated the old $20,000 cap — cottage food operations now have no revenue limit.
| Alabama rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | None (old $20,000 cap removed) |
| State permit / license | None (county notification only) |
| Inspection | None (routine) |
| Required step | ADPH-approved food-safety course (keep current) |
| Allowed foods | Non-perishable (non-TCS); no acidified foods |
| Where you can sell | Direct to consumers within Alabama |
| Label | Name, address, ingredients, "not inspected" statement |
No state permit or license is required — your county may simply ask for notification. The one mandatory step is completing an ADPH-approved food-safety course before you sell, and keeping the certification current. That makes Alabama one of the lower-friction states once you've taken the course.
Alabama allows non-potentially-hazardous (non-TCS) foods sold directly to consumers. Commonly sold items include:
Not allowed:
Confirm specifics with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Alabama labels must include:
Alabama does not pre-approve labels, but health officials can check them at any time, so keep them compliant; confirm the exact required disclaimer wording with ADPH. A simple compliant Alabama label might read: *"Sweet Home Sourdough — [Your Operation], [Address]. Ingredients: flour, water, salt, starter (contains wheat). This product is not inspected by the health department."* See our cottage food labeling guide for templates.
Alabama cottage foods are sold directly to consumers within the state. Allowed channels include:
Sales to retail stores and restaurants fall outside the cottage food exemption.
Because Alabama allows direct and online in-state sales with no cap, a real storefront helps you take orders and manage pickup without living in your DMs. Homegrown gives Alabama sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup scheduling for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have an Alabama-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.
With the $20,000 cap gone, Alabama no longer limits your income — your ceiling is demand and capacity. Most successful Alabama sellers focus on a few strong non-perishable products and build a base of repeat customers at markets and through online pickup. A few ways to get the most out of it:
With the old $20,000 cap gone, Alabama rewards bakers who turn a food-safety course into a real business — a tight product line and a loyal market following beat chasing every channel.
The food-safety course requirement remains, and acidified foods are still off-limits — so plan your product list accordingly. Always confirm current rules with ADPH.
Cottage food laws cover food safety, not the business side, and the specifics differ by state. For Alabama: Alabama has a state sales tax plus local rates, so register with the Alabama Department of Revenue and collect tax on taxable items; your county may also want a business license. A few more steps worth handling before you grow:
None of these are part of the cottage food exemption itself, but handling them early keeps your business clean as it scales.
No. Alabama removed its $20,000 cap. Cottage food operations now have no revenue limit.
No state permit or license is required (county notification only). You must complete an ADPH-approved food-safety course before selling and keep it current.
Non-perishable baked goods, jams and jellies, candy, and dried/dehydrated items like herbs, vegetables, fruits, and roasted coffee. Acidified foods are not allowed.
No. Acidified foods such as pickles and hot sauce are prohibited under Alabama cottage food law due to botulism risk.
Yes, for in-state sales — direct to consumers within Alabama via pickup or local delivery. Sales to retail stores and restaurants are not covered by the exemption.
Your name and address, ingredients in descending order, allergen info, and a statement that the food is not inspected by the health department. Confirm the exact wording with ADPH.
Yes. An ADPH-approved food-safety course is required before you sell, and you must keep the certification current.
There's no state permit, though your county may ask for notification. You may also want a local business license for tax purposes.
With no cap and no permit, Alabama is an easy state to start once you've completed the food-safety course and your labels are compliant. Set up a Homegrown storefront for Alabama cottage food orders with local pickup, then compare the rules in nearby states like Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida, or see the full cottage food laws by state hub.
*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with the Alabama Department of Public Health before selling. Last verified: June 2026.*
