​​The California Health and Safety Code Section 114365.5 authorizes the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to add or remove food products and food categories from the (Approved Cottage Food List, PDF) at its discretion. Cottage Food Operations are allowed to produce certain categories of non-potentially hazardous foods.

Cottage food operators may request that CDPH consider adding food products/food categories to the Approved Cottage Food List by submitting a (Request to Add Food to the Approved Cottage Food List, PDF​) either by mail or email. Please use a separate request sheet for each proposed food item. Requests may be submitted using one of the following two methods:

1. Mailing address: CDPH – FDB, P.O. Box MS 7602, Sacramento, CA 95899-7435

2. Email address: FDBRetail@cdph.ca.gov​

Careful evaluation will be given before any food product/food category will be considered for addition to the Approved Cottage Food List. The requestor will be notified in writing of CDPH's decision.​

Approved Cottage Food Categories Include the Following:

• ​​​Baked Goods Without Cream, Custard, or Meat Fillings
• Candy and Confections
• Extracts Containing at Least 70 Proof or 35% Food-Grade for Human Consumption Ethanol/Alcohol
• Dried, Dehydrated, and Freeze-Dried Foods
• Frostings, Icings, Fondants, and Gum Pastes that do not Contain Eggs, Cream, or Cream Cheese
• Honey and Sorghum Syrups
• Fruit Butters, Jams, Jellies that Comply with Part 150 of Title 21 of The Code of Federal Regulations
• Nuts, Nut Mixes, and Nut Butters
• Powdered Drink Mixes Made from Manufactured Ingredients
• Vinegar and Mustards

CDPH will consider additions to the list four (4) times per calendar year. Before food categories are added to the list, CDPH will post a Notice of Proposed Change to the Approved Foods List on our website for twenty (20) days for public comment. After review and consideration of all the public comments received, CDPH will either add the new food categories to the Approved Food List or post a notice that CDPH has opted to withdraw all or part of the proposed additions. Any update to the Approved Cottage Food List will be effective thirty (30) days after the Notice of Proposed Change to the Approved Foods List is posted on the CDPH website.​​

​​Please note posting a Notice of Proposed Change to the Approved Cottage Food List does not authorize that food category until it appears on the officially Approved Cottage Food List. Only food categories on the Approved Cottage Food List are allowed.​​