Georgia cottage food rules after the 2025 reform

Georgia cottage food rules after the 2025 reform

Georgia's cottage food regime changed on July 1, 2025, when House Bill 398 took effect. The law removed the state license and fee, added third-party retail sales, and clarified the training requirement. Operators may now sell approved non-potentially-hazardous foods direct-to-consumer without registering with the state.

Georgia now allows sales to third-party retailers like grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants, provided the retailer displays cottage foods in a separate, clearly labeled section. Local governments may prohibit those third-party retail sales by ordinance, so local rules are worth verifying before approaching a retailer.

Allowed foods remain shelf-stable and non-potentially-hazardous: loaf breads, biscuits, rolls, cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, pastries with no cream fillings, candies and confections, fruit jams, jellies, fruit butters, dry mixes, granola, roasted coffee, dry tea blends, and high-acid shelf-stable fruit pies. Foods requiring refrigeration remain excluded.

For labels, Georgia offers an optional free GDA identifier that can replace a physical address for privacy. ANSI-accredited food handler training is still required.

Gobble's Take: More sales channels, no license fee, but labeling and training requirements remain in place. Source: Georgia Cottage Food Law 2025 Guide

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