1. Cottage food is exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws of the state if the food is sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer, or delivered by mail or an agent of the producer such as an employee. A producer may sell food to the consumer in person, remotely, by telephone, by internet, or by an agent of the producer.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 137F.20

  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Internet: means the federated international system that is composed of allied electronic communication networks linked by telecommunication channels, that uses standardized protocols, and that facilitates electronic communication services, including but not limited to use of the world wide web; the transmission of electronic mail or messages; the transfer of files and data or other electronic information; and the transmission of voice, image, and video. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Person: means a natural person. See Iowa Code 154A.1
  • property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • sell: means a transfer of title or of the right to use by lease, bailment, or any other means, but excludes a wholesale transaction with a distributor or hearing aid specialist, and excludes the temporary, charitable loan or educational loan of a hearing aid without remuneration. See Iowa Code 154A.1
  • State: means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See Iowa Code 152E.3
 2. Cottage food sold pursuant to this section shall be affixed or labeled with all of the following information:

 a. Information to identify the name and address, phone number, or electronic mail address of the person preparing the food.
 b. The common name of the food.
 c. The ingredients of the cottage food in descending order of predominance.
 d. The following statement: “This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection.” If the cottage food contains one or more major food allergens, an additional allergen statement must be included on the label identifying each major allergen contained in the food by the common name of the allergen.
 e. If the food is home-processed and home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits permitted under this section, the date that the food was processed and canned.
 3. Compliance with the cottage food exemption provided in this section does not represent compliance with federal law.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Chapter 137F Contents