Texas Updates Cottage Food Laws While Eagle Pass Struggles with Compliance

EAGLE PASS, Texas — As of September 1, 2025, updated Texas cottage food laws are in effect, expanding opportunities for home-based food entrepreneurs. While the new rules give Texans more freedom to prepare and sell food directly from their homes, concerns remain in Eagle Pass where local enforcement of existing laws has been inconsistent.

What Are Cottage Food Laws?

Texas first passed the Cottage Food Law in 2011, creating a pathway for individuals to prepare certain low-risk foods from their homes without needing a commercial kitchen. These include baked goods, jams, jellies, dried fruits, popcorn, candies, and other items that do not require refrigeration.

The law allows home-based businesses to sell directly to consumers at their residence, farmers’ markets, farm stands, and events. However, direct shipment through mail and sales to restaurants or retail stores are prohibited.

What Changed in 2025?

The latest updates to the law expand both the types of food allowed and the places where sales can occur. Under the new regulations, Texans can now sell additional shelf-stable items such as:

• Dried pasta (selling prepared ramen with beef, egg, pork, anything that needs refrigeration is NOT allowed)
• Pickled vegetables with approved acidity levels
• Herbal teas and spice blends

The law also clarifies labeling requirements. All cottage food items must include the producer’s name and address, a statement that the food was made in a home kitchen, and allergen disclosures.

Issues in Eagle Pass

Despite the growth of home-based food businesses statewide, Eagle Pass continues to face compliance challenges. According to residents and sources familiar with the matter, many individuals in the community openly operate out of their homes without following state labeling requirements, health guidelines, or business permit rules.

Some locals raise concerns that the lack of oversight creates an uneven playing field for small businesses that follow the law and pay for licenses. Others worry about food safety, pointing out that perishable items have been sold without refrigeration or proper labeling.

“The state has clear rules in place, but here in Eagle Pass, people are still selling whatever they want straight out of their houses,” said one business owner who asked not to be identified. “It makes it harder for those of us doing things the right way.”

Calls for Stronger Enforcement

While the cottage food law was designed to support entrepreneurship, state health officials emphasize that compliance is critical to protect public health and consumer trust. Cities like Eagle Pass are expected to enforce basic requirements, yet enforcement has been limited.

Business leaders argue that unless local authorities take action, unsafe practices could undermine the intent of the law and discourage legitimate home-based businesses.

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