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VT

Vermont Food Business Laws

northeast region · Pop. 647,464

Limited13 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 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

Vermont allows up to $30,000/year (tripled from $10,000 by Act 42/HB 401, July 2025). Free online training required (License Exempt Food Processors and Cottage Food Operators). Annual registration required (new Oct 2025–Jan 15, 2026; then annually by Jan 15). No license or home inspection. Non-TCS shelf-stable foods only.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year (tripled from $10,000 by Act 42/HB 401, July 2025)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Vermont allows high-acid canned goods under cottage food up to $30,000/year. Permit, food safety training, and pH testing required. Online sales allowed. Low-acid canning prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Workable

Vermont allows honey under cottage food up to $30,000/year. Apiary registration required. Permit and food safety training required. Online sales allowed. Honey and maple products are cultural staples.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Specialty Foods

Workable

Vermont allows specialty dry goods under cottage food up to $30,000/year. Permit and food safety training required. Dried herbs, spice blends, maple-flavored dry mixes, and granola permitted. Online sales allowed. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Vermont requires commercial feed registration through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Annual license $75 plus $30 per product. Vermont has moderate fees. AAFCO labeling compliance required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; moderate fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretailonline

Fermented Foods

Limited

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

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / 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

Vermont has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Vermont's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $30,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year (tripled from $10,000 by Act 42/HB 401, July 2025)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Vermont has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Vermont's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $30,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year (tripled from $10,000 by Act 42/HB 401, July 2025)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Farm Direct

Limited

Vermont has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Vermont's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $30,000/yr cap, registration/permit required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$30,000 / year

$30,000/year (tripled from $10,000 by Act 42/HB 401, July 2025)

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Vermont requires commercial feed registration through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Annual license $75 plus $30 per product. Moderate fees. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles. Commercial facility required.

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

Vermont requires commercial feed registration through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Raw pet food requires pathogen testing, HACCP plan, and commercial facility. Annual license $75 plus $30 per product. Moderate fees with strict raw product controls.

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

Vermont requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Annual license $75 plus $30 per product. Moderate fees. Supplements regulated as animal feed. CBD under Vermont 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

Limited

Vermont requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Annual license $75 plus $30 per product. Moderate fees. No cottage exemption.

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 Vermont

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

View Details

Business Formation in Vermont

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

LLC Filing Fee

$125

Annual Fee

$35

Processing Estimate

~5 days

DBA Fee

$50

  • • $25 late fee for missed annual report
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Limited

Vermont 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

Workable

Specialty Foods

Workable

Pet Treats

Start Your Vermont 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

Recorded Products

baked goods (breads, cookies, etc.)

non-TCS shelf-stable foods

maple products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • business name
  • business address
  • ingredients in order by weight
  • net amount
  • allergen information

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

Recorded review: March 1, 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
  • net weight
  • pH testing required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

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
  • ingredients (if infused)
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a; Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 6, § 3001 (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

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
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

6 V.S.A. § 321 et seq. (Vermont Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a (fermented foods not listed as permitted)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods (breads, cookies, etc.)

non-TCS shelf-stable foods

maple products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • business name
  • business address
  • ingredients in order by weight
  • net amount
  • allergen information

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods (breads, cookies, etc.)

non-TCS shelf-stable foods

maple products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • business name
  • business address
  • ingredients in order by weight
  • net amount
  • allergen information

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Recorded Products

baked goods (breads, cookies, etc.)

non-TCS shelf-stable foods

maple products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • business name
  • business address
  • ingredients in order by weight
  • net amount
  • allergen information

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4301a

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

6 V.S.A. § 321 et seq. (Vermont 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

6 V.S.A. § 321 et seq. (Vermont 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 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

6 V.S.A. § 321 et seq. (Vermont 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

6 V.S.A. § 321 et seq. (Vermont 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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