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WI

Wisconsin Food Business Laws

midwest region · Pop. 5,910,955

Limited13 published categoriesLatest recorded review: June 19, 2026

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

Published-category signalLimited
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

Wisconsin has a split system. Baked goods (court-created Lasee exemption): no revenue cap, no state licensing, no labels legally required (though recommended) — in-state online sales and mail order are allowed (Wisconsin-only; ongoing litigation may affect specifics). High-acid canned goods ('Pickle Bill'): $5,000/year cap with additional requirements. No TCS/refrigerated items.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Baked goods: no cap. Canned/pickled goods (Pickle Bill): $5,000/year cap.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Canning & Preserves

Limited

Wisconsin allows very limited high-acid canned goods under cottage food with $5,000/year cap (Pickle Bill). Permit and pH testing required. No online sales. Low-acid canning prohibited. One of the more restrictive states for canning.

Revenue Cap
$5,000 / year

$5,000/year for canned goods (Pickle Bill)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Workable

Wisconsin allows honey under cottage food with no cap for non-canned goods. Permit required. No online sales. Honey specifically listed as permitted. Wisconsin has a strong beekeeping tradition despite restrictive cottage food rules.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No cap for non-canned goods; $5,000 cap for canned (Pickle Bill)

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Specialty Foods

Limited

Wisconsin allows limited specialty dry goods under cottage food with no cap for non-canned goods. Permit required. No online sales. Dried herbs and basic spice blends may be allowed. Very restrictive. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No cap for non-canned goods; $5,000 cap for canned (Pickle Bill)

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Wisconsin requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Feed Program. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Wisconsin has a thorough inspection program. AAFCO compliance required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; thorough inspection program

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Wisconsin does not permit fermented foods under its cottage food law. One of the most restrictive states overall. All fermented products require commercial food processing license and facility. Despite strong sauerkraut and cheese traditions, home fermentation sales are not allowed.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No cap for non-canned goods; $5,000 cap for canned (Pickle Bill)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Label Requirements

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

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

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

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Baked goods: no cap. Canned/pickled goods (Pickle Bill): $5,000/year cap.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

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

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Baked goods: no cap. Canned/pickled goods (Pickle Bill): $5,000/year cap.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Farm Direct

Limited

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

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

Baked goods: no cap. Canned/pickled goods (Pickle Bill): $5,000/year cap.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Wisconsin requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Feed Program. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Thorough inspection program. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; thorough inspection program

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Wisconsin requires commercial feed registration through DATCP, Feed Program. Raw pet food faces heightened scrutiny. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Thorough inspection program with emphasis on pathogen controls for raw products. HACCP plan required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; HACCP plan and pathogen testing required

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Supplements

Limited

Wisconsin requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through DATCP, Feed Program. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Thorough inspection program. Supplements regulated as animal feed.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; thorough inspection program

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Limited

Wisconsin requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through DATCP, Feed Program. Annual license $75 plus $25 per product. Thorough inspection program. No cottage exemption.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; thorough inspection program

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretailonline

Pet Food Regulations for Wisconsin

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

View Details

Business Formation in Wisconsin

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

LLC Filing Fee

$130

Annual Fee

$25

Processing Estimate

~7 days

DBA Fee

$15

  • • No late fees for annual report
  • • LLC dissolved after 3 consecutive missed years
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Limited

Wisconsin 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

Limited

Honey

Workable

Specialty Foods

Limited

Pet Treats

Start Your Wisconsin Food Business

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

direct-to-consumer
farmers-market
online-instate
instate-shipping

Recorded Products

shelf-stable baked goods not requiring refrigeration

high-acid canned foods (Pickle Bill, $5,000 cap)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • Pickle Bill products: business name and address, product name, production date, allergens, ingredients in descending order, home kitchen not subject to licensing/inspection disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • baked goods: no labels legally required (strongly recommended)
  • nutrition facts

Wis. Stat. § 97.29

Recorded review: June 19, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

Recorded Label Requirements

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

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • net weight
  • nutrition facts

Wis. Stat. § 97.29

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

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

Wis. Stat. § 97.29; Wis. Stat. § 94.761 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

dried herbs

spice blends

tea blends

dry mixes

flavored salts

Recorded Label Requirements

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

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Wis. Stat. § 97.29

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

Wis. Stat. § 94.72 et seq. (Wisconsin Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Wis. Stat. § 97.29 (fermented foods not listed as permitted)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

shelf-stable baked goods not requiring refrigeration

high-acid canned foods (Pickle Bill, $5,000 cap)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • Pickle Bill products: business name and address, product name, production date, allergens, ingredients in descending order, home kitchen not subject to licensing/inspection disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • baked goods: no labels legally required (strongly recommended)
  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Wis. Stat. § 97.29

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

shelf-stable baked goods not requiring refrigeration

high-acid canned foods (Pickle Bill, $5,000 cap)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • Pickle Bill products: business name and address, product name, production date, allergens, ingredients in descending order, home kitchen not subject to licensing/inspection disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • baked goods: no labels legally required (strongly recommended)
  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Wis. Stat. § 97.29

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

shelf-stable baked goods not requiring refrigeration

high-acid canned foods (Pickle Bill, $5,000 cap)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • Pickle Bill products: business name and address, product name, production date, allergens, ingredients in descending order, home kitchen not subject to licensing/inspection disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • baked goods: no labels legally required (strongly recommended)
  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Wis. Stat. § 97.29

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

Wis. Stat. § 94.72 et seq. (Wisconsin Commercial Feed Law)

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

Wis. Stat. § 94.72 et seq. (Wisconsin Commercial Feed Law)

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

Wis. Stat. § 94.72 et seq. (Wisconsin Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
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

Wis. Stat. § 94.72 et seq. (Wisconsin Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Limited

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Farm Direct

Limited

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Limited

Pet Bakery

Limited

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