What Texas Allows
Texas is one of the most home food seller–friendly states in the country — and it just got even better. The Texas Cottage Food Production Operations regulation, codified in Chapter 437 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, was overhauled in 2025 by Senate Bill 541, effective September 1, 2025. That single change transformed Texas from a state with a specific allowed-foods list into a state that lets you sell almost anything you make at home, with a short list of prohibited categories.
The 2025 update tripled the annual sales cap from $50,000 to $150,000 (inflation-indexed), added wholesale sales channels for shelf-stable foods, created a DSHS registration option for address privacy on labels, and explicitly prohibited any local government from requiring a permit, license, or fee from cottage food operators. Texas state law now carries enforcement teeth — any government employee who knowingly demands a permit from a cottage food seller must be terminated.
You can sell directly to consumers anywhere in Texas — farmers markets, food festivals, roadside stands, from your home, and online with personal delivery. You do need to complete an accredited food handler certification course before selling. Some perishable (TCS) foods require a voluntary DSHS registration. See the full product list →
SB 541 is a game-changer. If you heard "Texas cottage food" a few years ago and moved on, it's worth revisiting. The exclusion model now in place means home food sellers in Texas have more freedom than in most states in the country — including the ability to sell prepared meals, cheesecakes, juices, and cut produce directly to customers.
Everything You Need, One Page at a Time
This guide is organized into eight focused sections. Start with what you can sell, or jump to the topic most relevant to where you are in your business.
What You Can Sell
Open, Restricted, and Prohibited products under Texas cottage food regulations — with a three-tier breakdown for every major food category.
Read Guide →Shelf-Stable Food Rules
What counts as shelf-stable, what the $150,000 annual sales cap means for your business, and where you can sell non-refrigerated products.
Read Guide →Prepared Meals & TCS Foods
The rules for time/temperature-sensitive foods — what TCS means, which prepared foods are now allowed in Texas, and how to handle them safely.
Read Guide →Beverages
Kombucha, cold brew, juice, shrubs, lemonade — the full breakdown of craft beverage rules, including what requires DSHS registration.
Read Guide →Licenses & Permits
No cottage food permit is required in Texas — but you do need a food handler certification, and some activities require DSHS registration.
Read Guide →Label Requirements
Every field required on your label — including the exact state disclaimer statement that must appear in all caps on every product you sell.
Read Guide →Start Your Business
Sole proprietor or LLC, DBA registration, sales tax, pricing strategy, and where to sell — a complete checklist to launch your Texas food business.
Read Guide →Special Categories
Meat, dairy, alcohol, THC edibles, and acidified foods — categories that require separate licenses beyond the cottage food framework.
Read Guide →Check Your Compliance Score
Answer a few questions about your products and sales channels — get an instant compliance score and a personalized action checklist for Texas.
Texas Compliance Score
Get a personalized compliance score for your Texas home food business, with a checklist of exactly what you need to do before your first sale.
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