Rhode Island Cottage Food Laws

Comprehensive Guide to Rhode Island Cottage Food Laws

This guide provides a detailed and practical overview of Rhode Island’s Cottage Food Laws as defined under R.I. Gen. Laws § 21‑27‑6.2. Learn about registration requirements, allowable products, kitchen standards, labeling, sales venues, taxes, and actionable steps to launch your home‑based food business.

Quick Facts

1. Overview / Introduction

Rhode Island codified its Cottage Food Law under General Law § 21‑27‑6.2, allowing residents to prepare certain foods in a home kitchen and sell them directly to consumers. Registration under this law began in November 2022, when applications were first accepted by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) (health.ri.gov).

2. Sales Limits

To qualify for registration, the operator must generate under $50,000 in annual gross sales of food products (health.ri.gov).

3. Licensing & Registration

• You must register with RIDOH by submitting the application form, a notarized affidavit of compliance, and a $65 annual fee payable to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island (health.ri.gov).
• No registrations were issued before November 1, 2022 (health.ri.gov).
• The resulting Certificate of Registration is valid for one year and must be kept in the cottage food kitchen; the Director may revoke it for noncompliance (health.ri.gov).

4. Training Requirements

Prior to initial registration, applicants must complete one of the following:

• a Food Safety Manager Course,
• any American National Standards Institute (ANSI)–approved food handler course, or
• another course approved by the department (health.ri.gov). RIDOH also lists several ANSI‑accredited food handler training programs (e.g., 360training.com, National Restaurant Association, etc.) (health.ri.gov).

5. Home Kitchen Inspection & Requirements

As part of the registration, you must submit:

• a notarized affidavit that your kitchen meets legal requirements;
• a sketch of your property showing the home, private well (if applicable), septic system (if applicable), and their separation distance;
• if using private water (not municipal), include test results for Total Coliforms, E. coli, and Nitrates demonstrating the water’s fitness for human consumption (health.ri.gov).

6. Allowed Foods

Rhode Island law permits only certain foods made in a home kitchen under the cottage food exemption. The FAQs reference that “only certain foods can be made in a home kitchen and sold” but do not list them explicitly (health.ri.gov). The registration instructions do require you to provide a list of food products you intend to make (health.ri.gov). Note: The exact list of allowed foods is not specified in the available sources. Prospective operators should contact RIDOH directly or refer to updated regulations for specifics.

7. Prohibited Foods

The sources affirm that “only certain foods” are permitted, implying that others are prohibited, but there is no explicit list of prohibited items in the provided materials (health.ri.gov). Entrepreneurs should verify with RIDOH whether foods like those requiring refrigeration, acidification, or involving greater safety risk are disallowed.

8. Labeling Requirements

The application instructions require you to submit labels for each item, but the sources do not specify exact required label elements or wording (health.ri.gov). The FDA Food Labeling Guide may offer general guidance but is not specific to Rhode Island cottage foods (health.ri.gov). Note: Specific state-level labeling requirements (e.g., ingredient list, allergen statements, “Made in a home kitchen” disclaimers) are not detailed in the Rhode Island sources. Operators should refer to RIDOH guidance or the FDA labeling guide for general compliance.

9. Where You Can Sell

• You may sell directly to consumers via pickup or delivery within Rhode Island, either by the registrant or a designee (health.ri.gov).
• To sell at farmers’ markets or temporary events (like festivals), you need an additional retail food peddler license, which covers all events statewide and is renewable annually (health.ri.gov).

10. Sales Tax

The provided sources do not address state or local sales tax requirements for cottage food sales. Entrepreneurs should consult the Rhode Island Division of Taxation or a tax professional for guidance.

11. Special Exemptions

There are no special exemptions or exceptions detailed in the current materials beyond the home kitchen registration framework. The law simply limits eligibility to those generating under $50,000 in annual gross sales and following registration protocols (health.ri.gov).

12. Getting Started (Practical Steps)

1. Review local zoning and building codes to ensure your home kitchen is compliant; secure any necessary permits or approvals and document them (health.ri.gov).
2. Enroll in and complete a Food Safety Manager Course or ANSI‑approved food handler training (health.ri.gov).
3. If using a private well, have your water tested for Total Coliforms, E. coli, and Nitrates and keep results on file (health.ri.gov).
4. Prepare a property sketch showing your kitchen, well, and septic system (if applicable) and their distances (health.ri.gov).
5. Complete the RIDOH Cottage Food Manufacture application, attach the notarized affidavit, list of products, labels, training proof, water test results (if needed), and submit with $65 fee (health.ri.gov).
6. Upon approval, display the Certificate of Registration in your kitchen, and begin direct sales via pickup or delivery, or apply for a retail food peddler license to expand into farmers markets or events (health.ri.gov).

13. Official Resources

• Rhode Island Department of Health – Cottage Foods general overview and instructions: https://health.ri.gov/food-safety/cottage-foods (health.ri.gov)
• Cottage Food Manufacture Application & Instructions (PDF): https://health.ri.gov/applications/CottageFoodManufacture.pdf (health.ri.gov)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, updated November 2022): https://health.ri.gov/publications/frequentlyaskedquestions/FAQs-Cottage-Food-Manufacturing-in-RI.pdf (health.ri.gov)

Official Sources

This guide was compiled from the following official sources:

• health.ri.gov
• health.ri.gov
• health.ri.gov

Important Notes

⚠️ Allowed and prohibited food categories are not explicitly defined in the sources – verify with RIDOH.

⚠️ Labeling requirements are not detailed – consult RIDOH or FDA for specifics.

⚠️ Sales tax and online or out‑of‑state shipping rules are not addressed – consult tax and regulatory resources.