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Cottage food laws

Hawaii Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Hawaii? Here are the sales cap, allowed foods, where you can sell, and the point where you must move into a licensed commercial kitchen.
Educational summary, not legal advice — cottage food rules change; confirm with the state before you sell.
Program
Homemade Food (Cottage Food) exemption
Annual sales cap
null - not specified
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnline (in-state)In-state shippingWholesale to third-party (post-2025 rules)
Registration / to start
Register with Hawaii DOH; labeling required
Allowed foods
Non-TCS shelf-stable foods (breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, candies, granola, popcorn, jams/jellies, cereals, mochi) plus pickled/fermented plant foods added in 2025 rules
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods, interstate shipping
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Selling TCS foods, or interstate, requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) · HB 2144 (2024); HAR 11-50

Source: Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

HB 2144 (2024) directed DOH to expand the law; rule amendments effective Aug 24, 2025 authorize online sales, in-state shipping, third-party wholesale and new categories (pickled/fermented).

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Hawaii food-business requirements, estimate the build with the cost-to-open calculator, and check whether you need a hood.

Frequently asked

Can I sell homemade food in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii has a cottage food framework (Homemade Food (Cottage Food) exemption) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).
What foods can I sell under Hawaii's cottage food law?
Non-TCS shelf-stable foods (breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, candies, granola, popcorn, jams/jellies, cereals, mochi) plus pickled/fermented plant foods added in 2025 rules Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods, interstate shipping
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Hawaii?
Selling TCS foods, or interstate, requires a licensed kitchen At that point, see the requirements and permit fees for your area.
Do I need a license or registration for cottage food in Hawaii?
Register with Hawaii DOH; labeling required
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