Jerky snacks are a favorite choice for millions of health-conscious consumers, offering both flavor and nutrition. If you want to start your own business, you can use a beef jerky business plan template to take advantage of this trend. You should note, though: It takes more than a great recipe or product to succeed. You can make small amounts of beef jerky for your family and friends, but you can’t sell it to everyone.
The meat market is highly regulated by the FDA, USDA and other government bodies. You can make beef jerky at home but not sell it, but you can set up a factory, work with a factory, or rent a commercial kitchen in a restaurant.
The Complete Guide to Selling Homemade Beef Jerky Legally
Beef jerky is one of America’s favorite on-the-go snacks. This protein-rich dried meat has been a mainstay for hundreds of years, and everyone from cowboys to people on road trips loves it. As jerky becomes more popular, many people who like it have started making their own at home. This leaves many wondering – can you actually sell homemade beef jerky legally?.
The short answer is yes, you can sell homemade beef jerky legally, but there are some important legal requirements and food safety regulations you need to follow. I should know – I started my own homemade beef jerky business last year. After months of perfecting recipes and navigating legal red tape, I successfully launched my small business selling artisanal jerky.
In this complete guide, I’ll share everything I learned about the legal side of selling homemade beef jerky. I’ll walk through the step-by-step process, including permits, licenses, production regulations, labeling laws, and more. My goal is to equip other aspiring jerky entrepreneurs with the knowledge to legally and safely launch their own homemade beef jerky business.
Let’s get started!
The Legal Considerations of Selling Homemade Beef Jerky
While making beef jerky for personal use is no problem, selling to the public brings legal obligations. Here are the main laws and regulations governing homemade beef jerky businesses:
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Food safety and handling rules: Because beef jerky is a food product, it must be made safely by following the right food handling rules to keep it from getting contaminated and making people sick. Local health departments provide permits and conduct inspections to enforce compliance.
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Business licenses and permits: Selling beef jerky requires registering your business and obtaining licenses and permits. Exact requirements vary based on location.
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Product labeling laws: Beef jerky must contain certain information on its packaging, like ingredients, allergen warnings, nutrition facts, etc. There are strict labeling standards enforced by the FDA.
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Meat processing regulations: As a meat product, beef jerky falls under inspection and processing standards enforced by the USDA and state agriculture agencies.
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Tax obligations: Any business selling products is responsible for sales tax collection, income tax reporting, and other tax compliance.
While this may seem daunting, properly licensed homemade beef jerky businesses are completely legal. Let’s look at how to check all the right boxes.
Getting Started: Choose a Business Structure
The first step is choosing the legal structure for your beef jerky business. Most small businesses should operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).
Sole proprietorships are the simplest, with no formal registration needed. You simply file taxes for your jerky business along with your personal taxes. Partnerships are similar but involve two or more owners.
For liability protection, most homemade beef jerky businesses operate as LLCs. LLCs shield your personal assets from any business lawsuits. FORM AN LLC by registering with your state and creating an operating agreement. This also establishes your business name.
Obtaining Permits and Licenses
Every beef jerky business needs proper permits and licenses from local and state authorities before selling any products:
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Business license – Required to legally operate any business within a state and city. Apply through the city clerk’s office.
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Seller’s permit – Required for collecting sales tax on beef jerky sales. Apply through your state’s revenue department.
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Food safety permit – Check with your local health department about permits related to food handling, prep, and production.
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Meat processing license – If making jerky yourself, you may need a processing license from the agriculture department.
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Product liability insurance – Highly recommended to protect your business from potential lawsuits.
Consult your state or city government’s website for the full list of requirements and application forms. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing. These permits also determine what commercial kitchens or facilities you can use for jerky production.
Ingredients: Buying Commercial Meat
Beef for jerky cannot come from a local grocery store. It must be prepared in a USDA-inspected facility and purchased commercially.
BUY MEAT from approved slaughterhouses, processors, or wholesale distributors. Have suppliers provide documentation that the meat meets regulatory standards. Consider sourcing grass-fed or organic beef for a competitive advantage.
Other ingredients like seasonings and sauces can be bought retail. Purchase commercial packages and create unique flavor blends. Again, keep receipts showing ingredient sources for tracking purposes.
Producing Beef Jerky Following Safety Standards
All steps of the beef jerky making process must meet food safety guidelines:
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SANITIZE equipment and prep area surfaces prior to production.
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MAINTAIN diligent hand washing hygiene throughout production.
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USE clean food-grade containers for marinating.
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FOLLOW strict temperature controls – keep raw beef chilled and heat jerky strips to 160°F internally during smoking/drying.
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TEST finished products to ensure proper moisture content and water activity for food safety.
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PACKAGE jerky in sealable food-grade bags or airtight containers.
Adhering to these standards minimizes any risk of contamination. Consult your local health department about any further production requirements they enforce.
Product Labeling Requirements
Beef jerky sold to the public must contain specific information on its packaging:
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Product identity – the name “beef jerky” along with any unique flavors
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Ingredient list – all components listed in descending order by weight
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Company name and address
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Net weight of contents
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Nutrition facts panel
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Allergy warnings for common allergens like soy
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Safe handling instructions – “Keep refrigerated after opening”
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Lot codes or batch numbers for traceability
Follow all FDA food labeling guidelines. Misbranded or inaccurately labeled products can warrant penalties. An experienced food label designer can help create compliant beef jerky labels.
Pricing Your Homemade Beef Jerky
When setting prices for your homemade beef jerky, consider:
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Ingredient costs – meat, seasonings, sauces, packaging
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Labor time for production
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Overhead costs like commercial kitchen rental fees
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Competitor pricing for similar products
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Your target profit margin
Initially, you may need to price your jerky on the lower end to attract customers. Offer discounts for bulk orders. As your brand grows, you can increase pricing over time.
Marketing and Selling Your Homemade Beef Jerky
Now for the fun part – getting to actually sell your homemade jerky! Focus on promoting your product and getting sales through:
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An online shop on your business website
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Farmers markets and local food fairs
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Wholesale to local convenience stores and grocers
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Catering trays for corporate offices
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Jerky subscription boxes
Spread the word about your jerky on social media and through print ads. Offer free samples at local events to hook new customers.
As sales ramp up, explore getting your jerky into regional or national grocery store chains. This typically involves phone meetings with their food buyers plus paying distribution fees.
Keeping Up with Regulatory Paperwork
Maintaining proper documentation helps prove you comply with regulations:
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Keep detailed production records including sanitization logs, temperature logs, and inventory.
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Save purchasing invoices for commercial meat and ingredients
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Log regular equipment cleaning and maintenance
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Document food safety training for employees
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Track product sales numbers and retain sales tax records
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File necessary business taxes and renew licenses and permits annually
Stay organized and store records for a minimum of 2 years. These will come in handy if your jerky business ever gets audited or inspected.
The Rewarding Experience of Running a Beef Jerky Business
Starting a homemade beef jerky business requires an initial time investment to get compliant and licensed. But once up and running, you can enjoy the perks of jerky entrepreneurship:
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Make money doing something you love – eating and creating incredible beef jerky!
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Establish a fun brand name and niche flavors for your jerky.
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Meet fellow jerky enthusiasts at markets and stores.
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Expand your business over time with new products like jerky sticks, gift baskets, merchandise, etc.
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Leverage social media and local press to grow your hometown jerky empire.
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Use profits to give back to your community through donations or scholarships.
By following this guide, you can turn your jerky-making hobby into a thriving legal business. So grab your favorite marinades, put on an apron, and get ready to bring your homemade beef jerky to the people!
FAQs on Selling Homemade Beef Jerky
Can you sell homemade beef jerky online?
Yes, you can sell homemade beef jerky online through your own e-commerce website. However, be aware of restrictions on shipping homemade food items across state lines without proper licensing.
Does beef jerky need to be USDA approved?
While full USDA inspection and approval is not mandatory, any beef used to make homemade jerky must come from a USDA-inspected slaughterhouse and meet federal standards for commercial meat processing.
Do you need a commercial kitchen to make and sell beef jerky?
In most cases, yes – homemade beef jerky cannot be produced in a home kitchen if being sold. You will typically need a permit to work in a licensed commercial kitchen. Some cottage food laws allow exceptions for jerky made in home kitchens but usually only for direct-to-consumer sales at markets.
What is the shelf life of homemade beef jerky?
Properly dried, sealed homemade beef jerky has a shelf life of 2-3 months when stored at room temperature away from excess light and moisture. Refrigeration can extend shelf life up to 6 months.
Does homemade beef jerky need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration is recommended after opening to maintain maximum freshness and shelf life. Unopened properly dried beef jerky can be safely stored sealed at room temperature.
Decide on a Business Model
If you want to make beef jerky snacks, you can either get an existing factory to do it or build a facility that is approved by the USDA. Also, see if you can find a beef jerky business for sale or a local commissary kitchen. Another option is to purchase a franchise, such as Jeffs Famous Beef Jerky.
Note that you cannot sell beef jerky made at home. Those who claim to sell “homemade” jerky typically have their own food establishments and use a commercial kitchen or work with local restaurants. The Texas Department of State Health Services points out that its illegal to sell homemade meat or poultry products, whether retail or wholesale. All states have similar rules in this regard. The last thing you want is to get fined for breaking food safety regulations.
Find or build a place where you can make beef jerky snacks, and then plan how you’re going to sell them. A brick-and-mortar store is not your only option. You could also sell your goods at farmers markets, work with grocery stores and restaurants, or start a subscription service you could list your goods online. In order to keep costs low and reach more people, you can also open an online store.
Research the Legal Requirements
The global jerky snacks market reached $3.9 billion in 2019, according to Grand View Research. Beef jerky accounted for more than half of its total revenue. Consumers love this snack because of its convenience and rich flavor. Plus, its loaded with protein, vitamin B12, iron and other essential nutrients.
This industry is regulated by the U. S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS). The FDA, on the other hand, regulates animal drugs and feed ingredients. Additionally, 28 states have their own meat inspection programs, reports the National Conference of State Legislatures.
As a small business, you must determine which of these regulations apply to you. Like, if you own a farm and raise cattle, you need to follow the rules set by the FDA, USDA, FSIS, and state agencies. If you buy meat from a local or national store, that store is responsible for following FDA rules. All meat sold in stores, even beef jerky, has to go through an inspection to make sure it has the right labels and is safe to eat.
Homemade jerky business growing
FAQ
How much does it cost to start a beef jerky business?
What’s a good price for beef jerky?
Can I sell beef jerky from home in Texas?
How safe is homemade beef jerky?
Can you sell beef jerky legally?
Selling beef jerky legally requires careful planning, compliance with regulations, and a commitment to quality. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can establish a thriving and profitable beef jerky business while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of your customers.
How do you market beef jerky?
Product Testing: Regularly test your beef jerky to ensure it meets safety and quality standards. Once your beef jerky is legally compliant, it’s time to market and sell your product. Consider these strategies: Target Market: Identify your target market and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.
Can you sell beef jerky to hungry customers?
Don’t worry, you are not alone! Unfortunately, there are countless hurdles to overcome and regulations that need to be followed to legally and safely start selling your beef jerky to hungry customers. Don’t be discouraged though!
Can I start a beef jerky business?
Unfortunately, there are countless hurdles to overcome and regulations that need to be followed to legally and safely start selling your beef jerky to hungry customers. Don’t be discouraged though! You have come to the right place and will soon see that starting a beef jerky business is extremely doable with a little help and guidance!