United States Guide
Wholesale
Moving from direct sales to wholesale changes your regulatory picture in most states: wholesale can end cottage-food eligibility, add licensing, and change facility requirements. The changes are state-specific, and this page does not generalize across states. Wholesale is a decision point, not a simple extension of direct sales.
Regulatory record
- Regulatory Region
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Last Verified
- Structure reviewed 26 September 2026 — legal specifics not yet independently verified; confirm with the relevant authority
- Official Authority
- State agencies, plus FDA where applicable
What wholesale can change
Expect these to be re-examined when you sell wholesale:
- Cottage-food eligibility: Wholesale usually removes cottage-food eligibility because the sale is no longer direct to the consumer.
- Licensing: A commercial food-processing license may now be required in the state.
- Facility requirements: The premises may need to meet commercial facility standards and inspections.
- Labeling and packaging: Retail packaging, Nutrition Facts and state labeling rules may change which exemptions apply.
- Federal layer: Wholesale distribution can strengthen the interstate-commerce side of FDA's scope.
No generalization across states
States draw the cottage-food and wholesale lines differently, and they change. Confirm your state's current treatment of wholesale before signing your first retailer.
Where to continue
Read the commercial facility guide and the cottage food guide, then confirm with your state's agencies.
Official sources
Official sources
Regulatory disclaimer
Regulatory requirements change and may depend on product, facility, sales channel, and location. This resource is educational and should be verified with the relevant government authority before commercial operation.
Common questions
Can I wholesale with a cottage-food license?
Usually not, because cottage food is direct-to-consumer by definition, but this varies by state. Confirm your state's current rule.
Does one wholesale permit cover all states?
No. Wholesale distribution can add obligations per state and strengthen the federal layer; nothing here is national.