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State Cottage Food Laws
- Most states allow hot sauce to be sold under their cottage food laws.
- Sales caps vary between states.
- Commercial packaging can help avoid these caps.
Hot Sauce Information
- Hot sauce has a salty, sour flavor with heat from peppers.
- It adds spice to dishes like tacos and fried rice.
- All hot sauces contain some level of heat.
Making and Selling Hot Sauce
- First, dehydrate the sauce at 135°F for 8-12 hours until brittle, then grind it into a seasoning powder.
- To legally sell homemade hot sauce, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and meet food safety standards.
- Consider partnerships with co-packers to reduce costs.
Hot Sauce Business
- Hot sauce businesses reaching national retailers can generate multi-million dollar annual revenues.
- Startup costs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000.
- Utilize brokers for assistance with sales and distribution.
Selling Strategies in Los Angeles
- Options for legally selling small batches in Los Angeles include renting approved restaurant space or working with co-packers.
- Obtain necessary licenses and permits, and produce enough to meet co-packer minimum orders.