Skip to main content
Cottage Launchpad
HomeBrowse MakersStatesToolsLearnPricing
Log inGet Started
All States
TX

Texas Food Business Laws

south central region · Pop. 30,503,301

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

Texas SB 541 (effective September 1, 2025) tripled the cap to $150,000/year (from $50,000), indexed for inflation starting 2026. Landmark expansion: now allows TCS foods (cheesecakes, flan, cream pies, pumpkin pie, cut fruits/vegetables, cheese, vegetarian casseroles/pasta, pizza without meat, sandwiches without meat). No license for non-TCS; TCS must register with DSHS. Registration provides unique ID instead of home address.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year (SB 541, effective Sept 1, 2025 — tripled from $50,000). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Texas allows jams, jellies, and fruit butter under cottage food up to $150,000/year. pH testing required for acidified foods. Online sales and delivery allowed. Low-acid canning and pickled products are prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year gross revenue cap (raised from $75,000 in 2026)

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Advantaged

Texas specifically EXCLUDES honey from cottage food law — beekeepers are classified separately. Honey can be sold directly without a cottage food permit. Apiary registration required. No revenue cap for honey sales. Must comply with Texas honey labeling rules. Very beekeeper-friendly despite the separate classification.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Honey excluded from cottage food; no separate revenue cap for beekeepers

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Texas allows specialty dry goods under cottage food up to $150,000/year. Dry mixes specifically listed as permitted. Dried herbs, spice blends, and granola allowed. Online sales and delivery allowed. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year gross revenue cap (raised from $75,000 in 2026)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Texas requires commercial feed registration through the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) at Texas A&M. Facility license $75 (permanent) plus $50/year per product in packages under 5 lbs. Tonnage fees assessed semi-annually. Texas has an efficient online registration system. AAFCO compliance mandatory.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; semi-annual tonnage fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Texas explicitly prohibits fermented foods and pickled products under its cottage food law. Commercial food processing license and facility required for any fermented food production.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

Fermented foods explicitly prohibited 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

Workable

Texas has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Texas's cottage food law, which is very permissive (a $150,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year (SB 541, effective Sept 1, 2025 — tripled from $50,000). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Texas has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Texas's cottage food law, which is very permissive (a $150,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year (SB 541, effective Sept 1, 2025 — tripled from $50,000). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Farm Direct

Workable

Texas has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Texas's cottage food law, which is very permissive (a $150,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$150,000 / year

$150,000/year (SB 541, effective Sept 1, 2025 — tripled from $50,000). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Texas requires commercial feed registration through the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) at Texas A&M. Annual license $50 plus $25 per product. Semi-annual tonnage fees. Efficient online registration system. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; semi-annual tonnage fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Texas requires commercial feed registration through the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC). Raw pet food requires pathogen testing and commercial facility. Annual license $50 plus $25 per product. Semi-annual tonnage fees. Efficient online registration.

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

Texas requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through OTSC at Texas A&M. Annual license $50 plus $25 per product. Semi-annual tonnage fees. Efficient online registration. Texas has a strong hemp program — CBD pet supplements may be available.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; semi-annual tonnage fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Workable

Texas requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through OTSC at Texas A&M. Annual license $50 plus $25 per product. Semi-annual tonnage fees. Efficient online registration. Texas cottage food law applies to human food, not pet food.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; cottage food law does not apply to pet food

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Food Regulations for Texas

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

View Details

Business Formation in Texas

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

LLC Filing Fee

$300

Annual Fee

$0

Processing Estimate

~5 days

DBA Fee

$0

  • • $300 formation fee
  • • 2026 no-tax-due threshold: $2.65 million annualized total revenue
  • • PIR/OIR duties generally remain when no tax is due; qualifying exceptions apply
  • • Called 'company agreement' not 'operating agreement'
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Workable

Texas 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

Workable

Honey

Advantaged

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Pet Treats

Start Your Texas Food Business

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

Get My Free Roadmap Build a Label

Product

  • State Wizard
  • Label Builder
  • Recipe Calculator
  • All Tools
  • Explore States
  • Compare States
  • Pricing

Learn

  • Learn
  • Glossary
  • Marketplace
  • Testing Labs

Company

  • About
  • Contact

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer
© 2026 Cottage Launchpad. All rights reserved.

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

direct-to-consumerfarmers-marketfrom-homeonline-instate

Recorded Products

any homemade food except specifically excluded items (SB 541)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

dried fruits

popcorn

TCS foods: cheesecakes, banana pudding, flan, pumpkin pie, cream pies

TCS foods: cut fruits/vegetables, cheese, vegetarian casseroles/pasta

TCS foods: pizza (no meat), sandwiches (no meat)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • PRIVATE RESIDENCE NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION disclaimer
  • major allergens
  • TCS foods: date made
  • TCS foods: SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (12-pt+ font): keep refrigerated/frozen until prepared
  • DSHS registration ID (TCS, in lieu of home address)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Tex. Health & Safety Code § 437.001 (as amended by SB 541)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

chutney

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • product name
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen statement
  • net weight
  • pH testing required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Tex. Health & Safety Code 437.001

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
online-instate
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
  • country of origin (if blended)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts
  • allergens

Tex. Health & Safety Code 437.001 (excludes honey); Tex. Agric. Code § 131.001 (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
  • product name
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen statement
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Tex. Health & Safety Code 437.001

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

Tex. Agric. Code § 141.001 et seq. (Texas Commercial Feed Control Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Tex. Health & Safety Code 437.001 (fermented foods explicitly prohibited)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
from-home
online-instate

Recorded Products

any homemade food except specifically excluded items (SB 541)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

dried fruits

popcorn

TCS foods: cheesecakes, banana pudding, flan, pumpkin pie, cream pies

TCS foods: cut fruits/vegetables, cheese, vegetarian casseroles/pasta

TCS foods: pizza (no meat), sandwiches (no meat)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • PRIVATE RESIDENCE NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION disclaimer
  • major allergens
  • TCS foods: date made
  • TCS foods: SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (12-pt+ font): keep refrigerated/frozen until prepared
  • DSHS registration ID (TCS, in lieu of home address)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code § 437.001 (as amended by SB 541)

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
from-home
online-instate

Recorded Products

any homemade food except specifically excluded items (SB 541)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

dried fruits

popcorn

TCS foods: cheesecakes, banana pudding, flan, pumpkin pie, cream pies

TCS foods: cut fruits/vegetables, cheese, vegetarian casseroles/pasta

TCS foods: pizza (no meat), sandwiches (no meat)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • PRIVATE RESIDENCE NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION disclaimer
  • major allergens
  • TCS foods: date made
  • TCS foods: SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (12-pt+ font): keep refrigerated/frozen until prepared
  • DSHS registration ID (TCS, in lieu of home address)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code § 437.001 (as amended by SB 541)

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
from-home
online-instate

Recorded Products

any homemade food except specifically excluded items (SB 541)

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

dried fruits

popcorn

TCS foods: cheesecakes, banana pudding, flan, pumpkin pie, cream pies

TCS foods: cut fruits/vegetables, cheese, vegetarian casseroles/pasta

TCS foods: pizza (no meat), sandwiches (no meat)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • PRIVATE RESIDENCE NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION disclaimer
  • major allergens
  • TCS foods: date made
  • TCS foods: SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (12-pt+ font): keep refrigerated/frozen until prepared
  • DSHS registration ID (TCS, in lieu of home address)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code § 437.001 (as amended by SB 541)

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

Tex. Agric. Code § 141.001 et seq. (Texas Commercial Feed Control 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

Tex. Agric. Code § 141.001 et seq. (Texas Commercial Feed Control 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

Tex. Agric. Code § 141.001 et seq. (Texas Commercial Feed Control Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
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

Tex. Agric. Code § 141.001 et seq. (Texas Commercial Feed Control Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Limited

Food Freedom Laws

Workable

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Farm Direct

Workable

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Workable

Pet Bakery

Workable

Want to share or embed this signal on your site?

Open full report card