Wisconsin Cottage Food Laws

Quick Facts

Allowed Foods and State Conditions

Non-potentially hazardous baked goods sold directly to consumers.
Home-canned fruits and vegetables that are naturally acidic or acidified by pickling or fermenting, with an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower.
Examples of allowable home-canned foods include pickled fruits and vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, salsas, chutneys, fruit-based jams and jellies, and applesauce.
Review the official Wisconsin source because the baked-goods rules and litigation history are separate from the Pickle Bill canned-food exception.

Sales Types

DIRECT sales as allowed under the specific Wisconsin exemption that applies.

Getting Started

What You Should Do First

Review the Wisconsin DATCP home-baker and home-canned foods pages and determine whether your product fits one of the narrow Wisconsin exemptions before selling.

Common Issues

Wisconsin’s exemptions are narrower than in many states. Most foods sold in Wisconsin still must be produced in a licensed facility.

Reproducibility Note

Initial source-first import using official state source.

Labeling

Labeling and disclosure expectations depend on which Wisconsin exemption applies. DATCP materials should be reviewed before selling.

Required Label Items

Follow the applicable Wisconsin DATCP exemption guidance
Use the required product and producer information and any disclosure required for the exemption

Required Disclaimer

This product was produced under a limited Wisconsin home-food exemption and not in a generally licensed food facility.

Allergen Statement Required

Varies

Labeling Notes

Wisconsin should be treated as a limited-exemption state rather than a broad cottage-food state.

Official Source

Example Label