Can I sell food on Amazon, and what do I need?
Yes, once Amazon approves you for Grocery. Amazon wants images of the full English label and a shelf life over 90 days. Under the law, the maker must be registered with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice, which is FDA's advance notice of the food.
See the plan for your product →This page covers packaged food and drinks for people. Pet food, infant formula and baby food have extra rules, and the free check in the plan tells you which rules apply to yours.
What does Amazon ask for before you list food?
- Amazon must approve you for Grocery before you list.1 Amazon help, “Categories and products that require approval” ↗
- Images of the full label, in English. The label shows the name, net quantity, and maker or distributor. It also shows the ingredients, allergens, Nutrition Facts and country of origin.2 Amazon help, “Food and beverages” ↗
- Shelf life over 90 days.2 Amazon help, “Food and beverages” ↗
- Infant formula and baby food need more. Formula makers must be registered with the FDA. A GFSI or cGMP certificate is needed too. Each is proof from an audit that the factory follows food-safety rules.2 Amazon help, “Food and beverages” ↗
- Decide whether the product needs a Prop 65 warning. If it does, set the warning type and chemical names on the Compliance tab.3 Amazon help, “California Proposition 65” ↗
Also on Amazon for this product (3)
- Set it on every child SKU that needs one, not the parent: Amazon rejects a warning sent on the parent SKU, and the upload fails.3 Amazon help, “California Proposition 65” ↗
- Amazon applies this even with fewer than 10 employees.3 Amazon help, “California Proposition 65” ↗
- Don't send Amazon labels or signs.3 Amazon help, “California Proposition 65” ↗
What does the law ask for, whatever the marketplace?
- The maker must be registered with the FDA as a food facility. Each shipment's prior notice (FDA's advance notice of the food) needs that number.1 21 CFR 1.225 and 1.281, registration and prior notice ↗
- As the importer, you need a Foreign Supplier Verification Program for each food: your checks that the supplier makes it safely. If FDA asks, the records go to it promptly. Records kept off-site are due within 24 hours.2 21 CFR 1.502 and 1.510, FSVP ↗
- A record of who you bought each lot from.3 21 CFR 1.337, records of each source ↗
- The label gives the name of the maker, packer or distributor.4 21 CFR 101.5, name on the label ↗
- A short list of higher-risk foods — soft cheeses, shell eggs, nut butters, fresh-cut produce and several others — needs extra tracking records under FDA's Food Traceability Rule. Enforcement starts 20 Jul 2028.5 FDA, Food Traceability Rule compliance date ↗
More the law asks for this product (3)
- California requires a clear warning before anyone is exposed to a chemical on its list.6 Cal. Health & Safety Code 25249.6 ↗
- Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are outside the law.7 Cal. Health & Safety Code 25249.11(b) ↗
- This plan doesn't yet say how or where to warn: on the label, in a notice to stores, or online. That waits until the official rules are read.
Sources (7) · read 11 Nov 2026
- 121 CFR 1.225 and 1.281, registration and prior notice. eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026
- 221 CFR 1.502 and 1.510, FSVP. eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026
- 321 CFR 1.337, records of each source. eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026
- 421 CFR 101.5, name on the label. eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026
- 5FDA, Food Traceability Rule compliance date. Content current as of 24 Jul 2026
- 6Cal. Health & Safety Code 25249.6. California code
- 7Cal. Health & Safety Code 25249.11(b). California code
What does that look like for one product?
Say you import a packaged snack to sell on Amazon. You need Grocery approval, label images showing the ingredients, allergens and Nutrition Facts, and a shelf life over 90 days. As the importer, you also need a Foreign Supplier Verification Program for it: your checks that the supplier makes it safely.
What's the next step?
The plan lists every step for your product in order, with a source for each line. It opens with Amazon and the product type already picked, and you can change either. It's free, with no signup.
See the plan for your product →Not sure which FDA import steps apply? The free certificate check shows them for your product, with the rule cited for each. Check which certificate you need — free →
Related
Checked against Amazon's and the government's own pages on 11 Nov 2026.