Vinegars

Plain fermented vinegar & fruit/herb-infused vinegars

Cottage Food Eligible
Acidicby nature – lower risk than infused oils
0state license for tested-recipe vinegars
No capon annual sales
IN onlyshipping/delivery

What's Covered  /  What Needs a Different Path

✓ Covered here

  • Plain fermented vinegar (apple cider, wine, malt) sold shelf-stable
  • Fruit- or herb-infused vinegars following a tested recipe for safe acidity
  • Vinegar-based marinades and dressings that stay shelf-stable

✗ Needs a different path

  • Vinegar blended with low-acid ingredients in proportions that raise the finished pH above safe thresholds
  • Any vinegar product making disinfectant or antimicrobial claims (moves toward EPA/FIFRA regulation)
  • Shipping vinegar products outside Indiana under cottage law

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Confirm base acidity

Plain vinegar is inherently high-acid and shelf-stable, making it a straightforward cottage food.

B

Test infused blends

When adding fruit or herbs, follow a tested recipe so the finished product's pH stays safely acidic.

C

Label and disclose

State the vinegar type, infusion ingredients, net volume, and the home-produced disclaimer.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Plain fermented vinegarCottage-eligible, no licenseIC 16-42-5.3
Fruit/herb-infused vinegar (tested)Cottage-eligible, no licenseIC 16-42-5.3
Vinegar with disinfectant claimsEPA pesticide registration requiredEPA (federal, FIFRA)
LabelingType, ingredients, net volume, disclaimerISDH

Frequently Asked Questions

Is infused vinegar as risky as infused oil?

No – vinegar's natural acidity makes it inherently more self-preserving than oil, though following a tested recipe for infused blends is still smart practice.

Can I sell vinegar as a cleaning product too?

Only if you avoid antimicrobial/disinfectant claims; making those claims shifts the product into EPA pesticide registration territory.

Do I need a food handler cert to sell vinegar?

Yes – the same ANSI-accredited course required for any Home-Based Vendor product applies here.

Is there a sales cap?

No revenue cap currently applies to Home-Based Vendor sales in Indiana.

Printable Checklist

Confirm plain vinegar base is shelf-stable
Use a tested recipe for fruit/herb infusions
Avoid disinfectant/antimicrobial label claims
Complete an ANSI-accredited food handler course
Label type, ingredients, and net volume
Sell and ship within Indiana only