Product Description

Credit: Keelworks Legal Research
https://keelworks.org/
Alaska Cottage Food Laws allow individuals to prepare and sell non-
potentially hazardous foods made in a home kitchen without a food
permit or inspection, provided specific conditions are met. This makes
Alaska one of the most flexible states for cottage food entrepreneurs.
Cottage foods operate under the Alaska Food Code exemption (18 AAC
31.012(a)).

Key Highlights
 No food license required
 No routine inspections
 Direct-to-consumer sales only
 Annual sales limit: $25,000
 Products must be shelf-stable (non-TCS)

Allowed Foods (Examples)
Baked Goods
 Breads, cakes (including celebration cakes)
 Cookies, muffins, sweet breads (pumpkin, zucchini)
 Crackers, flatbreads, tortillas, waffle cones
 Baked goods containing alcohol (e.g., rum cake)
Bottled / Jarred Foods
 Jams and jellies (room temperature stable)
 Vinegars and flavored vinegars
 Mustards, BBQ sauce, ketchup
 Pickles, salsas, relishes
 Extracts (vanilla, lemon)
 Carbonated bottled beverages

 Berry and rhubarb juices

Candies & Confections
 Fudge, truffles, brittles
 Chocolate-covered fruits and snacks
Fermented Products
 Kombucha
 Sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented fruits and vegetables
Other Products
 Baking mixes, soup/dip mixes
 Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
 Popcorn and popcorn balls
 Dry herbs and seasonings
 Egg-based dried pasta
 Nuts, roasted coffee, dried tea
 Fruit leathers
Note: Some foods require documentation such as pH testing, water
activity testing, or recipe/process records.

Product Testing Requirements
Testing depends on the food type:
 pH testing (≤ 4.6) → pickles, salsas, fermented foods
 Water activity (≤ 0.88) → dehydrated foods
 Recipe & process documentation → baked goods
Testing Options
 Alaska State Environmental Health Laboratory

o pH test: $20/sample
o Water activity: $10/sample
 Results typically within 5–10 business days
 Test results must be kept on file, not submitted unless requested

Prohibited Foods
Foods requiring refrigeration or time/temperature control are not allowed,
including:
 Meat, poultry, fish, jerky
 Dairy products and cheeses
 Cheesecake, custards, cream pies
 Garlic-in-oil mixtures
 Fresh vegetable juices
 Non-acid canned foods
 Pesto, bottled water
 Raw sprouts

Sales Rules
 Direct sales only to the final consumer
 Allowed locations:
o Farmers markets
o Fairs, bazaars, community events
 Internet advertising allowed, but online sales are not
 No wholesale, resale, restaurants, or retail stores
 Sales must occur only within Alaska

Income Limit
 Maximum $25,000 gross sales per calendar year
 Operators must keep records proving compliance

Licensing & Business Setup
 No food permit required
 Alaska Business License is required
 Producer must:
o Know ingredients and preparation methods
o Answer consumer allergen questions
o Maintain recipes and safety documentation
o Inform consumers products are not state inspected

Special Note: Anchorage has additional requirements—local authorities
must be contacted.

Labeling Requirements
Packaged foods must include one of the following:
 Alaska Business License number OR
 Name, physical address, and phone number of the producer
Additionally, products must display:
“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO STATE INSPECTION.”

Allergen Labeling (Best Practice)
Declare any of the 9 major FDA allergens:
Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soy, Sesame

Food Safety Best Practices
 Clean and sanitize equipment and surfaces
 Prevent cross-contamination

 No pets or sick individuals in the kitchen
 Frequent handwashing and glove use
 Pest control and proper food storage

Record Keeping (Strongly Recommended)
 Recipes and ingredient lists
 Production and sale dates
 Batch tracking
 Sales receipts and locations
These records help demonstrate compliance and protect against
complaints.

Liability Insurance
 Not required but strongly recommended
 Protects against lawsuits and claims
 Options include food liability insurance or bonding
Support & Resources
 Alaska Cooperative Extension Service
 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
 Anchorage-specific authorities for local rules
Link: https://cottagefoodlaws.com/alaska-cottage-food-laws/