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KY

Kentucky Food Business Laws

southeast region · Pop. 4,526,154

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

Limited

Kentucky allows cottage food up to $60,000/year. Registration with KDA required before selling. A home-based processor may sell direct-to-consumer within Kentucky — from home by pickup or delivery, at farmers markets, flea markets, fairs/festivals/events, and online (in-state). Shipping/mail order and wholesale (restaurants/grocery/distributors) are NOT allowed; online orders must be fulfilled by in-state pickup or personal delivery.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Kentucky allows high-acid canned goods under cottage food up to $60,000/year. Permit required. pH testing required for acidified foods. Online sales allowed. Low-acid canning prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Advantaged

Kentucky allows honey under cottage food up to $60,000/year. Apiary registration required. Permit required but no training for honey-only. Honey specifically listed as permitted product. Online sales allowed.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Specialty Foods

Workable

Kentucky allows specialty dry goods under cottage food up to $60,000/year. Permit required. Dried herbs, spice blends, granola, and dry mixes permitted. Online sales allowed. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Kentucky requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture Division of Regulatory Services. Annual license of $30 plus $20 per product. Kentucky has relatively low fees and straightforward registration. AAFCO compliance required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Kentucky does not permit fermented foods under its cottage food law. All fermented products are considered potentially hazardous. Commercial food processing license required.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

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

Limited

Kentucky has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Kentucky's cottage food law, which is restrictive (a $60,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

farmers-marketevents

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Kentucky has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Kentucky's cottage food law, which is restrictive (a $60,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

farmers-marketevents

Farm Direct

Limited

Kentucky has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Kentucky's cottage food law, which is restrictive (a $60,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$60,000 / year

$60,000/year cap

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

farmers-marketevents

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Kentucky requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture Division of Regulatory Services. Annual license of $30 plus $20 per product. Low fees and straightforward registration. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles. Commercial facility required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Kentucky requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture Division of Regulatory Services. Raw pet food requires pathogen testing and commercial facility. Annual license $30 plus $20 per product. Lower fees than many states but raw product requirements remain stringent.

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

Kentucky requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $20 per product. Low fees and straightforward registration. Kentucky is a leading hemp-producing state — CBD pet supplements may be available under the state hemp program.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Workable

Kentucky requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $20 per product. Low fees and straightforward registration. No specific cottage exemption but enforcement tends to be practical for small bakery operations.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Food Regulations for Kentucky

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

View Details

Business Formation in Kentucky

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

LLC Filing Fee

$40

Annual Fee

$15

Processing Estimate

~4 days

DBA Fee

$20

  • • One of the cheapest states overall ($55 first-year total)
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Limited

Kentucky 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

Limited

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Honey

Advantaged

Specialty Foods

Workable

Pet Treats

Start Your Kentucky 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
events
from-home
online-instate
pickup-delivery-from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried fruit

candy

jams

jellies

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • common name of product
  • home-based processing operation name and address
  • ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • net weight or volume
  • home-produced and processed declaration
  • processing date
  • allergen identification

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

Recorded review: June 19, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

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 required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • net weight
  • nutrition facts

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

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

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 252.130 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

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

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

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

KRS § 250.500 et seq. (Kentucky Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136 (fermented foods not listed as permitted)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried fruit

candy

jams

jellies

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • common name of product
  • home-based processing operation name and address
  • ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • net weight or volume
  • home-produced and processed declaration
  • processing date
  • allergen identification

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried fruit

candy

jams

jellies

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • common name of product
  • home-based processing operation name and address
  • ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • net weight or volume
  • home-produced and processed declaration
  • processing date
  • allergen identification

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried fruit

candy

jams

jellies

granola

Recorded Label Requirements

  • common name of product
  • home-based processing operation name and address
  • ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • net weight or volume
  • home-produced and processed declaration
  • processing date
  • allergen identification

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 217.136

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

KRS § 250.500 et seq. (Kentucky 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

KRS § 250.500 et seq. (Kentucky 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

hemp-derived CBD (under state hemp 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 (structure/function claim only)

Recorded Optional Label Information

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

KRS § 250.500 et seq. (Kentucky Commercial Feed Law)

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

KRS § 250.500 et seq. (Kentucky 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

Workable

Pet Bakery

Workable

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