Washington Cottage Food Laws

Quick Facts

State-Listed Allowed Food Categories

Low-risk baked or fried products with a cook step, including loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, quick breads, and muffins.
Cakes, including celebration cakes, when the finished product is shelf-stable.
Pastries and scones.
Cookies and bars.
Crackers.
Cereals, trail mixes, and granola.
Certain pies that do not require refrigeration.
Biscotti.
Cones.
Candies and chocolate confections with required temperature control during preparation.
Standardized fruit jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters.
Vinegar and flavored vinegar.
Dry herbs, seasonings, and dry mixes.
Roasted coffee beans.
Dried tea blends.
Some freeze-dried foods made from otherwise allowable cottage food products.

Sales Types

Direct sales to consumers as allowed under the Washington cottage food permit.

Getting Started

What You Should Do First

Review the Washington cottage food page, confirm your product qualifies, apply for a Cottage Food Permit, and prepare compliant labels before selling.

Common Issues

Washington uses a permit model and limits production to certain low-risk foods sold directly to consumers.

Reproducibility Note

Initial source-first import using official state source.

Labeling

Washington requires labeling and permit compliance under its cottage food law and program materials.

Required Label Items

Follow Washington cottage food permit labeling requirements
Include required product and producer information and any disclosures required by WSDA

Required Disclaimer

This product was produced in a cottage food operation that is not subject to routine government food safety inspection.

Allergen Statement Required

Varies

Labeling Notes

Use the Washington State Department of Agriculture permit materials for exact current requirements.

Official Source

Example Label