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Cottage food laws · RI
Selling homemade food in Rhode Island
Rhode Island keeps things narrow: only nonperishable baked goods qualify (no jams or candy), a $65/year registration is required, and sales are capped at $50,000/year. You can take orders online, but you still have to hand the product to the customer in person.
Program
Rhode Island Cottage Food Manufacturer Law
Registration
Cottage Food Manufacturer registration with RI Dept of Health ($65/year) plus a food handler certificate
Annual sales cap
$50,000 (gross annual)
Online sales
Allowed (see notes)
You can sell
- Nonperishable baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, macarons)
You can't sell
- Jams, jellies, and preserves (not covered - baked goods only)
- Potentially hazardous foods needing refrigeration
- Meat and poultry products
- Low-acid canned vegetables
Where you can sell
- Direct to consumer at home
- Farmers markets
- Online ordering with in-person handoff
Selling online
Online ordering is allowed as a marketing channel, but the product must be handed to the buyer in person - no mailing or shipping
What your labels must include
- Producer name & address
- "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the RI Department of Health" statement
- Ingredient list
- Allergen disclosure
- Net weight