How to start a home-based food business in Ohio

Do I need a license to sell food from my home in Ohio?

Fortunately, you don’t need a license to sell “cottage food” in Ohio. There are certain rules you have to follow, but you don’t need to register your business just to sell food, like in many other states. 

What are the risk levels for a food license in Ohio?

If you’ve ever looked into food licenses in Ohio, you may have heard or read something about the risk levels. In a cottage food business, you are only permitted to sell “non-potentially hazardous foods”, which we’ll touch on again below.  

How do I start a local food business from home in Ohio?

You can start a home food business in any number of ways, but most people follow certain steps. 

Here are the steps:

1. Figure out what kinds of food you want to sell. This still help you label your products correctly and set up your store later. 
2. Label your foods correctly. Although you don’t have to register your business, you’re still required to label your foods clearly with what it is and its ingredients. 
3. Make sure your home is up to sanitary standards. Although you don’t have to get your home inspected either, it’s still a good idea to keep your kitchen clean so that it’s safe and healthy for both you and your customers. 
4. Set up an online store. If you want to sell from your home, your best bet is to set up an online store with a service like FormPay. 
5. Promote your business. The last thing to do is to let everyone know about your business. You can first tell your friends and family through word of mouth, then reach more people through social media. You can also check out this article for more tips on how to promote your business. 

Can I cook food in my house and sell it in Ohio?

Yes, you can cook food in your house and sell it in Ohio, but there are limits on what you can and cannot sell. 

Foods you CAN sell include: 

• Non-potentially hazardous bakery products
  • Cookies
  • Breads
  • Brownies
  • Cakes
  • Fruit pies 
• Candy 
  • No-bake cookies
  • Chocolate covered pretzels or similar chocolate covered non-perishable items
• Jams
• Jellies
• Fruit butters
• Granola
  • Granola bars
  • Granola bars dipped in candy
  • If fruit used must be commercially dried)
• Popcorn 
  • Flavored popcorn
  • Kettle corn
  • Popcorn balls
  • Caramel corn
  • Does NOT include un-popped popping corn); 
• Unfilled baked donuts
• Waffle cones
• Pizzelles
• Dry cereal and nut snack mixes with seasonings
• Roasted coffee
  • Coffee may be whole beans or ground
• Dry baking mixes
  • For making items such as breads and cookies
• Dry herbs and dry herb blends
• Dry seasoning blends
  • Dry barbecue rubs and seafood boils
• Dry tea blends
• Flavored honey made by a beekeeper exempt under ORC 3715.012
• Fruit chutney
• Maple sugar made by a processor of tree syrup exempt under ORC 3715.012
• Dry soup mixes containing commercially dried vegetables, beans, grains, and seasoning.

Foods you CANNOT sell include:

• Any item that requires refrigeration to keep from spoiling, including fresh fruit garnishes or filling
• Candy covered fresh fruit
• Freezer jam
• Sugar-free jams/jellies/fruit butters
• Fresh pasta
• Dehydrated fruits or herbs
• Cheesecake, cream pie, pumpkin pie
• Fry pies
• Popping corn
• Acidified foods
  • Pickles
  • Relishes
• Salsa
• Hot pepper

Can I sell cheesecake from home in Ohio?

Unfortunately, cheesecake counts as a “potentially hazardous food” (PHF) according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, so you aren’t allowed to sell it in a cottage food business. How to sell food online in Ohio?

How to sell food online in Ohio?

Selling food online is easy when you don’t have to register for your business, since you can get right to building an online shop. All you have to do is sign up with an e-commerce tool like FormPay to get started. Many independent food businesses, like G Sweets and Uncle Tim’s Delicacies, have already used FormPay to boost sales and streamline the experience for their customers. 

Summary

Fortunately, it’s really easy to start a home-based food business in Ohio. You don’t even have to register your business or buy a license—all you have to do is make sure you’re selling the right foods and labeling them properly, then create a store with a tool like FormPay and you’re all set. 

Resources

Cottage Foods | Ohio Department of Agriculture