No, pickles are not illegal in Louisiana. The notion likely stems from urban legends or mix-ups with myths from other states like Connecticut, where a non-existent “bounce test” for pickles has been debunked. Louisiana actually permits the sale of homemade pickles as low-risk cottage foods under state law.​
Pickle Regulations
Louisiana’s cottage food laws explicitly allow pickles and acidified foods to be prepared and sold from home kitchens without a license, provided they are non-hazardous and shelf-stable. Restrictions apply to low-acid canned goods and fermented foods, but standard pickles qualify as approved items alongside jams, baked goods, and spices. Sales are capped at $50,000 annually from these products.​
Actual Bizarre Food Laws
Louisiana enforces quirky rules unrelated to pickles, such as a three-sandwich limit at funeral wakes to prevent overeating. Stealing crawfish or alligators carries severe penalties, up to 10 years in jail and $3,000 fines. Feeding uncooked garbage to hogs is prohibited in Jefferson Parish to curb disease spread.​
Other Food Curiosities
Surprise food deliveries, like prank pizzas, are banned unless intended as gifts. Recent laws mandate QR code warnings on products with 44 specific ingredients. Truth-in-labeling rules prevent misbranding meat alternatives as “meat.”
SOURCES
[1](https://foodsafepal.com/louisiana-cottage-food-law/)
[2](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=98431)
[3](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/actually-law-connecticut-classify-pickles-233055357.html)
[4](https://www.facebook.com/groups/CottageFoodBusiness/posts/1711846229426089/)
[5](https://ij.org/issues/economic-liberty/homemade-food-seller/louisiana/)
