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VA

Virginia Food Business Laws

southeast region · Pop. 8,683,619

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

Workable

Virginia has no revenue cap for most products (exception: $3,000/year limit on pickles/acidified foods). No license, permit, or inspection required. Products labeled NOT FOR RESALE. Broad list of low-risk foods.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap for most products. $3,000/year limit on pickles/acidified foods.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Virginia allows high-acid canned goods under cottage food with no revenue cap. No license required but pH testing mandatory for acidified foods. 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

Virginia allows honey under cottage food with no revenue cap. No license required. Apiary registration required. Online sales allowed. Honey specifically listed as permitted. 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-market

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Virginia allows specialty dry goods under cottage food with no revenue cap. No license required. Dried herbs specifically listed as permitted. Spice blends, tea blends, and dry mixes also allowed. Online sales allowed. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

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

Virginia requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Plant Industry Services. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Tonnage inspection fees assessed. AAFCO compliance mandatory.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Virginia does not permit fermented foods under its cottage food law. Despite being generally permissive, 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

Workable

Virginia has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Virginia's cottage food law, which is permissive (no revenue cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap for most products. $3,000/year limit on pickles/acidified foods.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

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

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap for most products. $3,000/year limit on pickles/acidified foods.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Farm Direct

Workable

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

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap for most products. $3,000/year limit on pickles/acidified foods.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Virginia requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Plant Industry Services. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Tonnage inspection fees assessed. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Virginia requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Raw pet food requires pathogen testing and commercial facility. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. Strict AAFCO compliance for raw products.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; pathogen testing required

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Supplements

Limited

Virginia requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. Supplements regulated as animal feed.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Limited

Virginia requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. No cottage exemption.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Food Regulations for Virginia

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

View Details

Business Formation in Virginia

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

LLC Filing Fee

$100

Annual Fee

$50

Processing Estimate

~4 days

DBA Fee

$10

  • • $25 penalty for late annual registration
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Workable

Virginia 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

Workable

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Honey

Advantaged

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Pet Treats

Start Your Virginia 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.

farmers-market
roadside-stand
from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

jellies

honey

candies

dried fruits

dry herbs/seasonings

coated/uncoated nuts

vinegars

popcorn

dried pasta

dry baking mixes

roasted coffee

dried tea

cereals

trail mixes

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name, street address, phone number
  • NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION disclaimer
  • full ingredient list and sub-ingredients
  • honey: WARNING: Do Not Feed Honey to Infants Under One Year Old

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • net weight

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-5130

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
phone-orders

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
  • Not inspected by VDH label
  • pH testing required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • net weight

Va. Code Ann. 3.2-5130

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
phone-orders

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

Va. Code Ann. 3.2-5130; Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4400 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
phone-orders

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
  • Not inspected by VDH label
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Va. Code Ann. 3.2-5130

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dog treats

cat treats

pet food

pet snacks

biscuits

chews

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

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4800 et seq. (Virginia Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Va. Code Ann. 3.2-5130 (fermented foods explicitly excluded)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
roadside-stand
from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

jellies

honey

candies

dried fruits

dry herbs/seasonings

coated/uncoated nuts

vinegars

popcorn

dried pasta

dry baking mixes

roasted coffee

dried tea

cereals

trail mixes

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name, street address, phone number
  • NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION disclaimer
  • full ingredient list and sub-ingredients
  • honey: WARNING: Do Not Feed Honey to Infants Under One Year Old

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • net weight

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-5130

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
roadside-stand
from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

jellies

honey

candies

dried fruits

dry herbs/seasonings

coated/uncoated nuts

vinegars

popcorn

dried pasta

dry baking mixes

roasted coffee

dried tea

cereals

trail mixes

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name, street address, phone number
  • NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION disclaimer
  • full ingredient list and sub-ingredients
  • honey: WARNING: Do Not Feed Honey to Infants Under One Year Old

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • net weight

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-5130

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
roadside-stand
from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

jellies

honey

candies

dried fruits

dry herbs/seasonings

coated/uncoated nuts

vinegars

popcorn

dried pasta

dry baking mixes

roasted coffee

dried tea

cereals

trail mixes

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name, street address, phone number
  • NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION disclaimer
  • full ingredient list and sub-ingredients
  • honey: WARNING: Do Not Feed Honey to Infants Under One Year Old

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • net weight

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-5130

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

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4800 et seq. (Virginia 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

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4800 et seq. (Virginia 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

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

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4800 et seq. (Virginia Commercial Feed Act)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

baked dog biscuits

pet birthday cakes

frozen yogurt treats

peanut butter cookies

pumpkin 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

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-4800 et seq. (Virginia Commercial Feed 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

Limited

Pet Bakery

Limited

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