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Tennessee Food Business Laws

southeast region · Pop. 7,126,489

Workable13 published categoriesLatest recorded review: June 18, 2026

Recorded review dates for 13 of 13 published categories. A review date is not a guarantee that requirements are current.

Published-category signalWorkable
Informational Only: This information is compiled from public sources for educational purposes and may not reflect the most recent changes. Verify all requirements with your state's regulatory agency before starting or operating a food business. This is not legal advice.

Cottage Food

Advantaged

Tennessee Food Freedom Act — no revenue cap, no license, no permit, no inspection. Very broad food list including perishable foods. 2025 amendment adds poultry (1,000-bird exemption or inspected) and pasteurized dairy products. Online sales and in-state shipping allowed. Cannot sell perishable products wholesale or through restaurants.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap — unlimited

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Canning & Preserves

Advantaged

Tennessee has no revenue cap for cottage food including high-acid canned goods. No permit required. pH testing recommended for acidified products. Online sales allowed. Low-acid canning prohibited.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Advantaged

Tennessee has no revenue cap for cottage food including honey. No permit and no training required. Apiary registration required. Online sales allowed. Very permissive for beekeepers.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-marketonline-instate

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Tennessee has no revenue cap for cottage food including specialty dry goods. No permit and no training required. Dried herbs, spice blends, granola, and dry mixes all permitted. Online sales allowed. Very producer-friendly.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Tennessee requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, Regulatory Services Division. Annual license $40 plus $20 per product. Tennessee has moderate fees and a straightforward process. AAFCO compliance required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; moderate fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Tennessee does not permit fermented foods under its cottage food law. Despite being generally permissive for cottage food, fermented products are explicitly excluded. Commercial food processing license required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Fermented foods not permitted under cottage food law

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Label Requirements

  • N/A — fermented foods not permitted under cottage food

Food Freedom Laws

Advantaged

Tennessee's Food Freedom Act (2022; replaced the cottage-food law, expanded by HB 130 in 2025) exempts homemade food from all state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling (except during a foodborne-illness investigation), with no sales limit. The 2025 expansion added certain TCS items, pasteurized dairy (butter/yogurt/hard cheese/kefir), eggs, and poultry (1,000-bird exemption or inspected, ≤75 lb/transaction). Red meat, fish/shellfish, and raw milk remain prohibited.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No sales limit

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Tennessee has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Tennessee's cottage food law, which is very permissive (no revenue cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap — unlimited

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfrom-home

Farm Direct

Workable

Tennessee has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Tennessee's cottage food law, which is very permissive (no revenue cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap — unlimited

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfrom-home

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Tennessee requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, Regulatory Services Division. Annual license $40 plus $20 per product. Moderate fees and straightforward process. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; moderate fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Tennessee requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, Regulatory Services Division. Raw pet food requires pathogen testing and commercial facility. Annual license $40 plus $20 per product. Moderate fees with clear pathway.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; pathogen testing required

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Supplements

Workable

Tennessee requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $40 plus $20 per product. Moderate fees. Tennessee has a growing hemp industry — CBD pet supplements may be available under state hemp program.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; moderate fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Workable

Tennessee requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $40 plus $20 per product. Moderate fees and straightforward process.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; moderate fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretailonline

Pet Food Regulations for Tennessee

Commercial feed licensing, AAFCO compliance, fees, and feed control official contact

View Details

Business Formation in Tennessee

Review business-formation options and the recorded fees for Tennessee. Confirm current fees and obligations with the state filing office; forming an entity does not guarantee asset protection.

LLC Filing Fee

$300

Annual Fee

$300

Processing Estimate

~5 days

DBA Fee

$0

  • • One of the most expensive states
  • • Formation fee is $300 per member (minimum $300)
  • • Franchise tax + excise tax on top of annual report
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Workable

Tennessee Public Signal

13 of 13 published categories assessed. An overall band requires every published category to be assessed.

Revenue-cap periods follow normalized display labels, not verified legal reset rules. Missing or unrecognized periods display as annual; confirm the applicable period with the regulator.

Cottage Food

Advantaged

Canning & Preserves

Advantaged

Honey

Advantaged

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Pet Treats

Start Your Tennessee Food Business

Get your personalized compliance roadmap, startup cost estimate, and step-by-step launch guide.

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This is informational guidance, not legal advice. Always verify requirements with your state regulatory agency before selling food products.

from-home
markets
retail-stores
online-instate
instate-shipping

Recorded Products

most types of food (Food Freedom Act)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

poultry (1,000-bird exemption, 2025 amendment)

pasteurized dairy (2025 amendment)

perishable foods

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name and street address
  • net quantity in imperial and metric units
  • ingredients in order of predominance by weight
  • lot number or date (traceability)
  • private residence exempt from licensing/inspection disclaimer
  • may contain allergens statement
  • perishable: Keep Refrigerated, Use By date, cooking/reheating instructions

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

pickles (high-acid/acidified)

salsa (acidified)

chutney

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • pH testing recommended for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • net weight
  • nutrition facts

Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
delivery

Recorded Products

raw honey

filtered honey

creamed honey

comb honey

infused honey

beeswax products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • product name (honey)
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts
  • allergens

Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117; Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-101 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery

Recorded Products

dried herbs

spice blends

tea blends

dry mixes

seasoning packets

granola

trail mix

dried pasta

flavored salts

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dog treats

cat treats

pet food

pet snacks

biscuits

chews

dehydrated treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list (AAFCO names)
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-30-101 et seq. (Tennessee Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117 (fermented foods not listed as permitted)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
direct-to-consumer
farmers-market
online-instate
delivery

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

pickles

fermented foods

certain TCS items (2025)

pasteurized dairy (2025)

eggs

poultry (1,000-bird / inspected, ≤75 lb)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • not inspected disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • ingredients
  • allergens

Tennessee Food Freedom Act, T.C.A. § 53-1-118 (HB 813/SB 693, 2022; amended HB 130, 2025)

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
markets
retail-stores
online-instate
instate-shipping

Recorded Products

most types of food (Food Freedom Act)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

poultry (1,000-bird exemption, 2025 amendment)

pasteurized dairy (2025 amendment)

perishable foods

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name and street address
  • net quantity in imperial and metric units
  • ingredients in order of predominance by weight
  • lot number or date (traceability)
  • private residence exempt from licensing/inspection disclaimer
  • may contain allergens statement
  • perishable: Keep Refrigerated, Use By date, cooking/reheating instructions

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
markets
retail-stores
online-instate
instate-shipping

Recorded Products

most types of food (Food Freedom Act)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

poultry (1,000-bird exemption, 2025 amendment)

pasteurized dairy (2025 amendment)

perishable foods

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name and street address
  • net quantity in imperial and metric units
  • ingredients in order of predominance by weight
  • lot number or date (traceability)
  • private residence exempt from licensing/inspection disclaimer
  • may contain allergens statement
  • perishable: Keep Refrigerated, Use By date, cooking/reheating instructions

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-8-117

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dry kibble

wet/canned food

semi-moist food

fresh refrigerated food

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names in descending order by weight
  • nutritional adequacy statement (formulation or feeding trial method)
  • feeding directions
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • AAFCO feeding trial statement
  • life stage designation

Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-30-101 et seq. (Tennessee Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online

Recorded Products

raw frozen pet food

freeze-dried raw

dehydrated raw

raw bones

raw meaty bones

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation
  • safe handling instructions
  • storage and temperature requirements
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-30-101 et seq. (Tennessee Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin)

probiotics

omega fatty acids

vitamins

minerals

digestive enzymes

calming supplements

hemp-derived CBD (under state program)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • directions for use/dosage
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • intended use statement

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • NASC quality seal
  • calorie content
  • caution/warning statements

Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-30-101 et seq. (Tennessee Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

baked dog biscuits

pet birthday cakes

frozen yogurt treats

peanut butter cookies

pumpkin treats

dehydrated treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • treat/snack designation
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • guaranteed analysis
  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-30-101 et seq. (Tennessee Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Limited

Food Freedom Laws

Advantaged

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Farm Direct

Workable

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Workable

Pet Bakery

Workable

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