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Georgia · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance · Category 12 of 24

Herbs & Spices

Dried culinary herbs, spice blends, and seasoning mixes sold direct to consumer

Cottage Food Eligible
None since 7/1/25
License
None
Revenue Cap
Shelf-stable, non-TCS
Product Type
Allowed under HB 398
Retail

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ Generally Covered

  • Dried culinary herbs, ground spices, and dry seasoning/rub blends sold direct, at markets, and online
  • Wholesale of dried herb/spice blends to retail stores and restaurants under HB 398
  • Growing and drying your own herbs on-farm before packaging and selling
  • Delivery within Georgia by mail or commercial carrier

✕ Needs More / Watch Out

  • Infusing herbs into oil for sale without addressing the botulism risk (see Oils guide — this needs a licensed/acidified process)
  • Shipping cottage-food herb/spice products out of state
  • Skipping the one-time food safety course and required label statement
  • Making unverified medicinal or health claims about herbs (e.g., 'cures inflammation')

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Confirm the product is dry and shelf-stable

Dried, ground, or blended herbs and spices with no oil or liquid component are squarely cottage-food eligible under HB 398.

B

Complete training and label

Take the one-time food safety course, then label with the home-kitchen disclosure, full ingredient list, and net weight.

C

Sell through any Georgia channel

Direct, online, markets, and wholesale to retail stores/restaurants are open under HB 398 with no revenue cap; keep any oil-infusion product in the separate Oils pathway.

Quick Reference

License required?No — HB 398 removed the cottage food license
Revenue capNone
Product examplesDried herbs, ground spices, dry seasoning blends
ExcludedHerb-infused oils (botulism risk — separate licensing path, see Oils)
Retail/wholesaleAllowed under HB 398
Out-of-state shippingNot allowed under cottage food law

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to sell dried herbs from my garden?
No — dried culinary herbs and spice blends are cottage food eligible under HB 398, with no license required.
Can I sell garlic-infused olive oil under this same category?
No — infused oils carry a botulism risk and need the licensed/acidified process described in the Oils guide.
Can I claim my herb blend has medicinal properties?
No — avoid any disease-treatment or cure claims; keep language to culinary use only.
Can I wholesale spice blends to a restaurant?
Yes, HB 398 opened wholesale channels to cottage food producers.

Printable Checklist

MarketStand · Georgia Producer Compliance Series
This guide is general information, not legal advice, current as of September 2026. Georgia's cottage food, meat inspection, dairy, egg, plant, feed, and alcohol rules change — always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (agr.georgia.gov), Georgia Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division, and your local health department before selling.
Primary sources: Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (Cottage Food, Meat Inspection, Egg Law, Live Plant Program, Feed/Pet Food Program); HB 398 (2025); Georgia Raw Dairy Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq.; Georgia Meat Inspection Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-60; Georgia Food Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-20; GA Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division; FDA (DSHEA, MoCRA, FSMA Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR 108/111/113/114).