Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Cottage Food Label Requirements in Texas

What Texas legally requires on your cottage food label — the required statement, sales cap, registration rules, and what you can (and can't) sell.

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This is not legal advice.

Cottage food laws change frequently and vary by county or local health department. Always confirm current requirements with Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or a local food safety professional before printing labels or selling product. View the official source. Last verified: 2026-08.

Required Label Statement

Exact wording Texas requires

“THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION.”

Must appear in all capital letters. This wording changed under SB 541, effective September 1, 2025 — older labels using the pre-2025 wording should be updated. Time/temperature-control-for-safety (TCS) foods also need a printed production date and, in at least 12-point font, the statement: "SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep this food refrigerated or frozen until the food is prepared for consumption."

Sales Cap & Registration

Annual Sales Cap

$150,000 in annual gross income from cottage food sales.

Registration & Permitting

No permit is required for most cottage food operations. Registration with the DSHS Online Licensing Registry is required if you sell TCS foods, if you are a cottage food vendor reselling for a producer, or if you want to use a DSHS registration number on your label instead of your home address.

Food Safety Course

The operator must complete an accredited basic food safety education/training program for food handlers (a Food Manager Certification from an accredited program also satisfies this).

What You Can (and Can't) Sell

Allowed

Most non-hazardous foods, and — unlike many states — Texas also permits certain time/temperature-control-for-safety (TCS) foods (like some baked goods with cream cheese icing) if registered and labeled correctly.

Not Allowed

Meat, poultry, and seafood products; ice and frozen desserts; low-acid canned goods; products containing CBD or THC; raw milk and raw milk products.

Selling something that needs a full Nutrition Facts panel (like packaged prepared meals) instead of a cottage food disclosure? See our meal prep labeling guide →

Official Source

This page summarizes guidance published by Texas Department of State Health Services – Texas Cottage Food Production.

Last verified: 2026-08

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current required label statement in Texas?

As of the September 2025 update (SB 541), Texas cottage food labels must say, in all capital letters: "THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION." If your labels still use older wording, update them.

Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Texas?

Not for most cottage food operations. You only need to register with the DSHS Online Licensing Registry if you sell time/temperature-control-for-safety (TCS) foods, resell as a cottage food vendor, or want to use a registration number instead of your home address on the label.

What is the Texas cottage food sales cap?

Cottage food operations in Texas may earn up to $150,000 in annual gross income before they need to move to a licensed commercial kitchen.

Can I sell homemade cheesecake or cream cheese frosting in Texas?

Texas is unusual in allowing some TCS (refrigeration-needed) foods, but they require DSHS registration, a production date on the label, and a safe-handling statement. Confirm your specific product qualifies with DSHS before selling.

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