Dehydrated fruit/veg, dry mixes, granola, dried pasta
COTTAGE FOOD ELIGIBLE
Bottom line: Dehydrated, shelf-stable dry goods are core cottage food territory in Florida — no license needed as long as the finished product isn't potentially hazardous.
The Path
Dried and dehydrated products are a straightforward fit for § 500.80's cottage food exemption, since they're shelf-stable by nature and don't need refrigeration to stay safe. The main thing to watch is water activity — a dehydrated product that isn't dried enough can slide back into TCS territory, so following a tested drying process matters even though there's no inspection to catch it.
What You Need
Fully dry, shelf-stable dehydrated fruit, vegetables, mixes, granola, or pasta
Label with business name & address, product name, ingredients, net weight, and allergens
FDACS cottage food disclosure statement on every package
Watch Out For
Under-dried product can retain enough moisture to become a food-safety risk — follow a tested drying process
Don't add fresh dairy, meat, or produce components
Citations
Fla. Stat. § 500.80
Agency contact: FDACS Division of Food Safety · 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)