"Cottage food" laws let home cooks and bakers make certain low-risk foods in their own kitchen and sell them legally, without a licensed commercial kitchen. Every state writes its own version of this exemption, and the rules on sales caps, licensing, and food safety training vary widely — see our full cottage food laws by state guide for the complete picture. New York's version works a little differently than most, starting with what it's even called.
New York Calls It the "Home Processor Exemption"
New York doesn't use the term "cottage food" in its own regulation. Instead, it's called the Home Processor Exemption — an exemption from the food-processing licensing normally required under Article 20-C of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It's administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM), not the Department of Health, and the governing rule is 1 NYCRR §276.4.
Is There a Sales Cap in New York?
🚫 No stated sales cap exists per NYSDAM. Neither the regulation nor the Department's own FSI-898c registration materials set a dollar limit on Home Processor Exemption sales.
You may see a figure like $50,000 quoted on third-party blogs as New York's cottage food sales cap. We're not publishing that number here because it isn't corroborated by 1 NYCRR §276.4 or by NYSDAM's own registration document — treat any such figure with caution until NYSDAM states one directly.
Do You Need a Food Handler Card?
No. NYSDAM's own FAQ for the Home Processor Exemption does not mention any food safety training or certification requirement for exempt home processors. That's a different posture than states like Georgia, where a food handler certificate is effectively required.
💲 Don't confuse this with New York's "Better Process Control School" certification — that's a separate, unrelated requirement that applies only to acidified and canned foods, which need a different, licensed-facility pathway under Part 277 and are excluded from the Home Processor Exemption entirely.
How to Register: Form FSI-898c
The official Home Processor Exemption registration form issued by NYSDAM.
Registration is free. Processing typically takes about two weeks under normal conditions.
Your registration doesn't expire on its own, but it's tied to your kitchen's address. Move, and you must reapply.
Inspections: Complaint-Basis Only
New York does not conduct routine inspections of Home Processor Exemption kitchens. Oversight is complaint-basis only — NYSDAM investigates if a complaint or a foodborne-illness report comes in, but registering doesn't trigger a scheduled home visit.
What You Can (and Can't) Sell in New York
Shelf-Stable, Closed List
Breads, rolls, biscuits, bagels, muffins, doughnuts, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies; double-crust fruit pies; scones; high-acid jams, jellies, and marmalades; popcorn and caramel corn; fudge; peanut brittle; granola and trail mix made with roasted nuts; non-chocolate candy; crackers and pretzels; vegetable chips; and repackaged dry goods like spices, dried fruit, dried pasta, and baking mixes.
Refrigerated & Higher-Risk Foods
Anything needing refrigeration, custom or wedding cakes, dairy-based frostings, fruit or vegetable breads, pickles, sauces and salsas, cheesecake and cream-filled items, dairy, meat, fish, poultry, and any acidified or low-acid canned food (these need a separate license under Part 277).
New York's list works differently from many states: rather than a general "low-risk foods are fine" standard, NYSDAM publishes a specific, closed list of approved products. If a food isn't on that list, assume it isn't covered by the exemption.
Where You Can Sell — and Why Interstate Sales Are Off-Limits
Home Processor Exemption goods can be sold at farm stands, farmers and green markets, craft fairs, wholesale to retail stores, restaurants, and cafes, by home delivery, and over the internet. The one hard line: every sale must stay within New York State. Interstate shipping and mail order sales are prohibited under the exemption — selling across state lines would trigger federal FDA oversight instead. See our guide on whether home bakers need a food handler card for how this compares to other states.
Labeling Requirements
Every product needs the common product name, an ingredient list by weight, net quantity, and the processor's full name and address. NYSDAM's official form lists egg, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, peanut, and tree nut as allergens to disclose — but wheat and sesame should still be declared to stay compliant with federal labeling law, even though the state form doesn't list them by name.
For the broader food-handler-card picture in New York, see our New York food handler card requirements page, which covers standard food service certification separately from this home-kitchen exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York require a food handler card for Home Processor Exemption operators?
No. The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets does not list any food safety training or certification requirement in its own guidance for the Home Processor Exemption. A separate Better Process Control School certification exists, but it applies only to acidified and canned foods, which are excluded from this exemption entirely.
Is there a sales cap for home processors in New York?
No stated sales cap exists per NYSDAM. Neither 1 NYCRR §276.4 nor the Department's own registration materials specify a dollar limit on sales. Figures like $50,000 sometimes appear on third-party sites but are not corroborated by the regulation or NYSDAM's own documents.
How do I register as a Home Processor in New York?
File Form FSI-898c with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets by email or mail. Registration is free, processing takes roughly two weeks under normal conditions, and there is no expiration date, though it is location-specific and you must reapply if you move.
Can I sell my New York home-processed foods out of state?
No. All sales under the Home Processor Exemption must stay within New York State. Interstate shipping and mail order sales are prohibited.
Selling food outside the Home Processor Exemption? Find the right food handler certification for your situation.
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