Food Safety & Allergen Policy

Dishes is a marketplace, not a food-safety inspector. We collect and review cook permits and certifications, but each cook is responsible for following their local food-safety laws.

Cooks must prepare food in compliance with local cottage-food, home-kitchen, or food-service rules, hold required permits, handle food safely, label products correctly, and keep certifications current. Cooks must keep their verification and permits up to date with Dishes.

Cooks must disclose major allergens for each item. Because most food is prepared in home kitchens, cross-contact with allergens is possible and cannot be fully eliminated. Buyers with serious allergies should confirm details directly with the cook before ordering.

Dietary labels (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) are provided by the cook and must be confirmed with them. Dishes cannot guarantee that any accommodation is met.

We review business verification, food permits, and certifications before allowing public listing, and we may pause listing when a permit expires. We may also act on safety concerns reported by users.

Home-cooked food carries inherent risk. By ordering, you acknowledge this and accept the food as prepared by an independent cook, not a licensed commercial kitchen unless the cook states otherwise.

Report any food-safety or illness concern from the order or the cook’s storefront so we can review and take appropriate action.