What You Can Sell as a Home Food Seller in Idaho

Product Status at a Glance

Idaho classifies cottage foods as non-Time/Temperature Control for Safety (non-TCS) foods — meaning they're safe at room temperature. The Idaho Food Protection Program published its most recent Allowable Foods list in July 2025. Below, every major category is organized into three tiers.

Open — Clearly Allowed

Breads & Rolls

Basic breads, bagels, biscuits, buns, tortillas, churros

Cookies, Brownies & Bars

All types that don't require refrigeration

Cakes & Cupcakes

Without perishable icing, cream, or custard fillings

Pastries, Donuts & Muffins

Non-perishable varieties; no cream-filled

Crackers & Pizzelles

Shelf-stable baked snacks

Candy & Confections

Hard candies, brittles, toffee, caramels, fudge, bonbons, cotton candy

Candied & Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn, popcorn balls, kettle corn

Marshmallow Products

Without perishable ingredients

Fruit Jams, Jellies & Preserves

Hot-filled, from fruits with pH ≤ 4.6. Full sugar only.

Fruit Pies & Turnovers

Fruit only — no pumpkin, no custard

Dried & Dehydrated Fruit

Fruits with natural pH below 4.6

Trail Mixes, Granola & Nuts

Cereal mixes, granola mixes, nut mixes

Seasoning & Spice Blends

Repackaged commercial dry ingredients

Tea Blends & Baking Mixes

Dry mixes, vegetable soup mixes, cereals

Vinegar

Apple cider, white, red wine, rice, flavored (strained, no additives)

Honey

Shelf-stable as sold

Drip Coffee, Tea & Lemonade

Served beverages — no bottling allowed

Soda

Served — no bottling allowed

Restricted — Conditions Apply

Fruit Leathers & Roll-Ups

Recipe must be submitted to your local PHD. Final product must be tested for pH and water activity. Fruits must have natural pH below 4.6. No fermented versions.

Fruit Butters

Allowed only from fruits with natural pH ≤ 4.6. May require lab testing to verify safety. Submit results with Cottage Food Risk Assessment Form to your PHD.

Macarons

Allowed without perishable fillings only (e.g., no cream cheese, no fresh ganache). Buttercream or fruit-based fillings may qualify.

Candied Apples

On the approved list but check with your PHD if adding perishable toppings or coatings beyond sugar.

Freeze-Dried Fruits

Allowed for fruits with natural pH below 4.6. You may NOT freeze-dry vegetables at home — those must be purchased from a commercial source.

Tinctures

Allowed, but labels may NOT contain any disease claims — cannot state or imply the product diagnoses, cures, treats, or prevents any disease.

Pumpkin Pie

Not clearly approved — depends on recipe. Many pumpkin pies require refrigeration and would be TCS. You must complete a product assessment to demonstrate shelf stability.

Uncertain Products

Any product of uncertain TCS status can be submitted to a private lab for pH and water activity testing. If pH is below 4.6 or aw below 0.85, it may qualify. Results go to your PHD.

Farm-Fresh Eggs

Not a cottage food, but can be sold under a separate exemption: direct to consumer, with an Ungraded Shell Egg Exemption Statement filed with your PHD. ISDA requires grading if 300+ laying hens.

Prohibited — Not Allowed

Any TCS / Perishable Food

Foods requiring refrigeration are not permitted under cottage food rules

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Requires USDA inspection. No jerky, no meat pies, no smoked meats.

Dairy Products

Milk, cheese, butter, yogurt — regulated by ISDA. Not cottage food.

Low-Acid Canned Foods

Canned vegetables, fruits, meats — prohibited per 21 CFR 113

Acidified Foods / Pickled Products

Pickles, salsas, hot sauces made by adding acid — prohibited per 21 CFR 114

Fermented Foods

Kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented hot sauces, fermented fruit leathers — not allowed

Fresh-Squeezed Juices

Not allowed under cottage food. Lemonade, tea, and drip coffee are permitted as served beverages.

Home-Dehydrated Vegetables

You may not dehydrate or freeze-dry vegetables at home. Commercial-source dried vegetables may be repackaged.

Pepper Jams & Reduced-Sugar Jams

Generally not enough sugar to prevent bacterial growth. Not allowed without lab verification.

Bottled Beverages

No bottling of any beverages allowed under cottage food. Beverages must be served, not packaged for later.

Alcohol

Wine, beer, spirits — requires separate distillery, winery, or brewery license. Not cottage food.

Understanding the Rules

Idaho's cottage food framework is built around one core concept: non-TCS foods. TCS stands for "Time/Temperature Control for Safety" — these are foods that need refrigeration or careful temperature management to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Think meat, dairy, custards, and many cooked vegetables.

If a food is non-TCS — meaning it's safe at room temperature without refrigeration — it generally qualifies as an Idaho cottage food. The science behind this comes down to two measurable factors: pH (acidity) and water activity (aw). Foods with a pH below 4.6 are acidic enough to inhibit most dangerous bacteria. Foods with water activity below 0.85 are dry enough to do the same. If your product meets either threshold, it's likely shelf-stable and eligible.

When you're unsure whether your product qualifies, Idaho provides a clear path: submit a sample to a private laboratory for pH and water activity testing, then share those results with your local Public Health District using the Cottage Food Risk Assessment Form. An Environmental Health Specialist will review and sign off if your product meets the criteria.

Source: The product lists on this page are based on the Idaho Food Protection Program — Cottage Food Businesses Allowable Foods (July 2025) and the Cottage Foods FAQ published by Idaho's Public Health Districts. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare may add or remove products from this list at any time — changes are posted on the IDHW Food Safety page.

What You Can Sell in Idaho

Product Status at a Glance

Understanding the Rules

Idaho Product Compliance Checker

Continue Reading

Start Selling on SellFood