Alabama Cottage Food Law
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Food Safety and Quality team now offers online, in-person, and Spanish course options for the Alabama Cottage Food Law certification.
This certification is for those who want to produce and sell certain nonhazardous food items from their home. All three course options have a $25 enrollment fee. Once completed, participants receive a certification that is good for 3 years. For more information about the Alabama Cottage Food Law Course, contact the food safety and quality agent in your area.
Self-Paced Online Course
Self-Paced Online Course
This online course is a flexible option for obtaining your Alabama Cottage Food Law certification. The course includes the same information as the in-person option. Note: After registering for the online course, you may not be able to access it immediately. It may take up to a few hours for the system to process your registration and send you an email to access the course.
Live Online Course
Live Online Course
Below is a list of upcoming dates for the live online Alabama Cottage Food Law course. These courses are conducted through Zoom, an online video platform. Click on the training date that you wish to attend for registration information.
In-Person Course
In-Person Course
Below is a list of upcoming dates for the in-person Alabama Cottage Food Law course. Click on the training location that you wish to attend to determine if that class and exam lasts 2 or 3 hours. Registration links for classes are posted 4 to 6 weeks prior to the class date. Check back as those dates draw closer.
Spanish Course
Spanish Course
This course gives Spanish-speaking audiences an easier option for obtaining their Alabama Cottage Food Law certification. With instruction led by a native Spanish speaker, this course provides information on the Alabama Cottage Food Law and the foods that can be produced at home and sold to consumers.
How to Complete the Course
Step 1. Watch all three videos at www.aces.edu/go/CottageFoodLawSpanishCourse.
- The first video discusses the rules and regulations: what you can sell, where you can sell it, what your labels need to include, and whether your product needs analytical testing.
- The second video outlines basic food safety practices to follow when operating a home food business.
- The third video is a brief overview of preserving acid and acidified foods through water bath canning, because some of these food items are allowed under the Alabama Cottage Food Law.
Step 2. Take and pass the exam.
- The exam is offered both in person and online.
- The fee is $25 and is payable by credit card, check, or money order.
- To pay the fee and schedule a time to take the exam, contact Christy Mendoza at (205) 217-6495 or Juana Christian at (256) 572-0241.
Step 3. File your paperwork
- After passing the exam, you will receive either a paper or digital certificate of completion.
- Take this certificate—along with copies of your product labels and results of product analysis (if applicable)—to your county health department to file the necessary paperwork.
- Each municipality also requires you to obtain a business license.