Ohio uses an approved list model — only specific products named by the Ohio Department of Agriculture are permitted. If your product isn't on the list, it isn't allowed, regardless of how shelf-stable it seems.
Most states define cottage food by what is prohibited. Ohio works the opposite way: the Ohio Department of Agriculture publishes a list of products that are specifically permitted. If a product isn't named on that list — in Ohio Administrative Code 901:3-20-04 or in ORC Chapter 3715 — you cannot sell it as cottage food, even if it seems perfectly safe and shelf-stable.
This means a new product category (say, a shelf-stable hot cocoa mix) is not automatically permitted just because it's low-risk. You would need to confirm it falls within an existing permitted category or contact ODA to request clarification. The approved list has expanded over time — most recently updated in 2016 — and HB 134, currently pending in the Ohio Senate, would dramatically change this framework if signed into law.
Ohio law defines "home" as a primary residence containing only one stove or oven used for cooking, designed for common residential use — not commercial use. A standard double oven (two stacked compartments in one unit) counts as one oven and is acceptable. Two separate ovens or ranges in the same kitchen disqualify the residence from cottage food production.
Commercial-grade equipment — even if installed in a home kitchen — also disqualifies the space. Ohio takes this definition seriously. If your kitchen doesn't meet this definition, you cannot produce cottage food there, regardless of what you're making.
The following categories are explicitly permitted under Ohio's cottage food law and ODA administrative rules. Products within each category are non-potentially hazardous and do not require temperature control for safety.
The following products cannot be sold under Ohio's cottage food framework. Some require a licensed food processing facility; others are prohibited entirely for home production. If your product falls into one of these categories, see Page 3 (Prepared Meals) or Page 5 (Licenses & Permits) for commercial pathway options.
If cottage food's approved list isn't enough, Ohio's Home Bakery License ($10/year) allows potentially hazardous baked goods that require refrigeration — things the cottage food law prohibits. Your home kitchen gets a one-time ODA inspection, then you're licensed to produce:
Ohio's approved list model creates some genuinely confusing situations for specific products. Here is how the law applies to the most common edge cases.
| Product | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Muffins with fresh blueberries | Allowed | Fresh fruit baked into muffins, cookies, or bread is permitted — OSU Farm Office has confirmed this explicitly. The baking process eliminates the safety concern. |
| Granola with raisins | Allowed | Permitted if the raisins are commercially dried. You may not dry your own fruit at home for use in cottage food products. |
| Granola with home-dried apple chips | Prohibited | Home-dehydrated fruit is not permitted as an ingredient in cottage food products. Use commercially dried fruit instead. |
| Custom wedding cake (buttercream) | Allowed | Permitted under cottage food as long as the filling and frosting are shelf-stable (buttercream is fine). Cream cheese frosting requires a Home Bakery License. |
| Custom cake with cream cheese frosting | Home Bakery License | Cream cheese frosting is considered potentially hazardous. A Home Bakery License ($10/year + inspection) is required. |
| Chocolate-dipped strawberries | Prohibited | Fresh fruit dipped in candy is explicitly prohibited by ODA rule revision. The fresh fruit makes the product potentially hazardous. |
| Chocolate-dipped pretzels or oreos | Allowed | Shelf-stable items (pretzels, cookies) dipped in chocolate are permitted — no fresh fruit involved. |
| Apple butter | Conditional | Permitted under cottage food (high-acid fruit butter). Also specifically exempt for beekeepers/processors if ≥75% of apples are self-harvested. Peach butter: permitted as high-acid fruit butter. |
| Seasoned roasted nuts | [VERIFY] | Plain roasted nuts are listed as permitted. Whether seasoned or flavored roasted nuts (e.g., spiced almonds, candied pecans) are included in the same category should be confirmed with ODA at foodsafety@agri.ohio.gov. |
| Spice blends and dry rubs | Allowed | Dry spice blends and seasoning rubs are permitted as dry goods. Must be fully shelf-stable with no perishable ingredients (e.g., no dried garlic in oil). |
| Shelf-stable hot cocoa mix | [VERIFY] | Likely falls under dry mixes, but Ohio's approved list model means confirmation with ODA is recommended before selling. |
| Infused olive oil | Prohibited | Garlic-in-oil and herb-infused oils are explicitly prohibited — botulism risk makes them potentially hazardous regardless of appearance. |