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Kentucky · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance

Beverages

Juices, sodas, kombucha and other drinks need a permitted path

Licensed Facility Required
PermitDrinks are not on the home-based processor list
WarningUnpasteurized juice needs a federal warning label
ABC + TTBState and federal licenses for any alcohol
6%Soft drinks are taxable in Kentucky

What's Covered / Needs a Different Path

What's Covered

  • Bottled non-alcoholic drinks made in a CHFS-permitted facility
  • Fresh juice sold directly to consumers from your own retail operation, with the required warning label
  • Drinks that meet FDA labeling and allergen rules

Needs a Different Path

  • Anything bottled in a home kitchen
  • Beer, wine, spirits, hard cider, mead or kombucha above 0.5 percent alcohol
  • Products marketed to treat illness

Compliance Steps

A

Pick your lane

Non-alcoholic drinks go through the CHFS Food Safety Branch. Any alcohol goes through TTB and Kentucky ABC.

B

Get the permit

Apply for a food processing permit and use an approved commercial or shared permitted kitchen.

C

Label and tax

Follow FDA labeling, add the juice warning if unpasteurized, and collect sales tax on soft drinks.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Home-kitchen drinksNot an allowed home-based productCHFS Food Safety Branch
JuiceHACCP rules apply; retail-direct sales have a limited exemption and warning labelFDA
AlcoholFederal permit plus state licenseTTB / KY ABC
Soft drinksTaxable at 6 percentKY Dept. of Revenue

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell lemonade from home?

Not made in a home kitchen. Use a permitted facility.

Is kombucha alcohol?

It can be, if it exceeds 0.5 percent ABV. Test before selling.

Do I need a juice HACCP plan?

Retail-direct sellers have a limited exemption; wholesale sellers usually do not.

Printable Checklist