How to Sell Foods on Amazon?

Can Anyone Sell Foods on Amazon? 

Yes, anyone can sell foods on Amazon, but there are important requirements to meet first. Sellers must go through an approval process (known as ungating) and provide proof that their food products are safe and high quality. This usually means submitting a Certificate of Analysis (COA) or certifications showing that the manufacturer is FDA-registered and follows global food safety standards. 

The steps to get started also depend on whether the food is shelf-stable or requires refrigeration. Once these requirements are met, Amazon will review and approve your account, allowing you to sell in the grocery category.

Why Amazon Restricts Selling Foods Amazon Sellers? 

Amazon restricts selling food to ensure customer safety, maintain quality standards, and comply with government regulations. Since food products can directly impact consumers’ health, Amazon requires sellers to prove that their products meet strict safety and quality guidelines. 

Additionally, restrictions help prevent counterfeit or expired food from being sold, protecting both buyers and reputable sellers. Enforcing these rules helps Amazon maintain trust in its marketplace and ensure that customers receive safe, high-quality food products.

How to Get Approval to Sell Foods on Amazon? 

To get approval to sell foods on Amazon, you need to follow these steps:

1. Request Approval in the Grocery & Gourmet Food Category

1. Go to Seller Central and navigate to “Add a Product.”
2. Find a grocery product’s ASIN, select “Apply to sell”, and then click “Request approval.”
3. If you have a strong selling history, you may get automatic approval, but most sellers need to go through additional steps.

2. Get Ungated (Approved) for Food Sales

Amazon requires proof that you’re sourcing food products from legitimate distributors or manufacturers. You need to:

1. Choose your seller type: Reseller, Manufacturer, or Both.
2. Submit at least one purchase invoice from a wholesale distributor. The invoice must:

• Be dated within 180 days of your application.
• Show a minimum purchase of 10 units per product.
• Include your business name and address, matching your Amazon seller account details.
• List the manufacturer or distributor’s name and address.

3. Submit Product Photos

1. Take clear, live photos of the product and its packaging.
2. Ensure the brand name, ingredients list, and expiration date (if applicable) are visible.
3. Include photos of all sides of the product and packaging.

4. Upload Documents to Seller Central

1. Go to the Add a Product page and find the matching product listing.
2. Click “Request Approval” and upload your invoice and product photos.
3. Submit your request and wait for Amazon’s approval, which usually takes a few hours to a few days.

A Better Solution

Getting approval to sell foods on Amazon is possible, but it comes with challenges, such as the time needed to gather the required documents. Plus, competition in the Grocery and Gourmet Food category is extremely high, making it tough for new sellers to succeed.

If you’re set on selling food, you can give it a try. However, you might also want to explore other categories with better profit margins. Our company provides Amazon leads that offer higher profitability than selling foods. Plus, we offer a 3-day free trial for new customers. You can check out our premium Amazon leads on the OABeans website.

Our team also specializes in Amazon ungating service and can help you get approval to sell foods on Amazon. But if you want to do it yourself, make sure you know how to get ungated in grocery on Amazon.  

Pros & Cons of Selling Foods on Amazon 

It’s good to know the benefits and challenges of selling foods on Amazon before you do it. Here’s what you need to know: 

Pros:

• Massive Customer Reach – Amazon has a huge customer base, allowing you to reach buyers who are already looking for food products.
• High Sales Potential – With the right niche and competitive pricing, food products can sell in high volumes.
• FBA Storage & Shipping – Amazon FBA handles storage, packaging, and shipping, reducing your logistics hassle.
• Optimized Product Pages – Amazon’s platform is designed to convert visitors into buyers with badges, discounts, and scarcity tactics.

Cons:

• High Competition – Many sellers compete in the same category, making it harder to stand out.
• Perishability Issues – Food items have expiration dates and require proper storage, increasing the risk of spoilage.
• Strict Compliance & Penalties – Late or incomplete shipments can lead to fines, and sellers must meet Amazon’s strict food safety standards.

How to Sell Foods on Amazon? 

There are multiple methods for selling food products on Amazon, and each approach comes with its own set of conditions, advantages, and challenges. Let’s learn about the most common ways to sell foods on Amazon, along with their pros and cons.

1. Selling via Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)

Selling food through Amazon FBA means Amazon will handle the storage, packaging, and shipping of your products. You simply send your inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and they take care of everything else.

FBA is limited to shelf-stable products; perishable foods requiring refrigeration or freezing cannot be sent to Amazon fulfillment centers.

2. Selling via Amazon FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant)

With Amazon FBM, you are responsible for storing, packing, and shipping food items directly to customers. To sell foods on Amazon, you list the product and once an order is placed, you fulfill it yourself. You need to manage your own storage, especially for perishable food items.

3. Selling via Wholesale (Reseller)

With wholesale, you buy food products in bulk from manufacturers or distributors and resell them on Amazon. This method doesn’t require you to manufacture products but rather to act as an intermediary for bulk items. You must provide invoices from manufacturers or distributors.

4. Selling via Private Label (Manufacturer)

With private labeling, you create your own brand by partnering with a manufacturer to produce food products under your brand name. This model allows you to control product quality and branding. 

Food products need to comply with FDA regulations and food safety standards. You may also need certificates such as the Certificate of Analysis (COA) to ensure product safety.

5. Selling via Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh allows you to sell groceries and fresh food directly to customers. This is a specialized service aimed at food products that require temperature-sensitive shipping and delivery. 

You must apply and be approved by Amazon to sell in Amazon Fresh. You can only sell fresh groceries, and there are strict requirements for product quality, packaging, and shipping methods (more on that later). 

Step by Step Guide to Start Selling Foods on Amazon 

You will need a comprehensive approach to sell foods on Amazon. Follow this step-by-step guide to launch your food business on Amazon:

Step 1: Research Amazon’s Requirements

Before anything else, familiarize yourself with Amazon’s specific rules and guidelines for selling food. Amazon has distinct requirements depending on the type of food you want to sell, such as shelf-stable products, frozen food, or perishables. 

In addition, it’s important to be aware of FDA and USDA food safety guidelines to ensure compliance. This research will help you understand the necessary packaging, labeling, and fulfillment requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Business Information

To get started, create a Professional account on Amazon Seller Central. During the registration process, you will need to provide certain business details, including:

• A bank account for receiving payments.
• A credit card for international charges.
• A government-issued ID for identity verification.
• Business tax information for compliance with tax regulations.

Step 3: Source Reliable Suppliers

Next, you need to find reliable suppliers for your food products. Whether you’re sourcing packaged goods or raw ingredients, the quality of your products is crucial. Ensure that your suppliers meet Amazon’s food safety and packaging requirements. For perishable foods, look for suppliers that specialize in temperature-sensitive items and can help maintain freshness during shipping.

Step 4: Choose Your Fulfillment Option

As mentioned earlier, one of the most important decisions when selling food on Amazon is selecting your fulfillment method. Amazon offers two primary options:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): Amazon handles the storage, packaging, and shipping of your products. This option is ideal if you want access to Amazon Prime customers and don’t want to manage logistics yourself.
• Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM): You handle the storage, packing, and shipping yourself. This method offers more control but requires you to manage the entire fulfillment process.

Step 5: Manage Storage and Inventory

Proper inventory management is critical, especially when you sell foods on Amazon. You need to ensure that your food remains fresh and doesn’t spoil before reaching your customers. If you use FBA, be sure to monitor your products’ shelf life and expiration dates regularly. If you’re handling fulfillment yourself with FBM, make sure to store your products in a way that maintains their quality and meets Amazon’s guidelines.

Step 6: Submit Your Request for Approval

Once you’ve completed the previous steps and gathered all necessary documentation, go to Amazon Seller Central to submit your request for approval to sell in the Grocery & Gourmet Food category. This process requires you to provide:

• Product details such as UPC codes, expiration dates, and packaging information.
• Proof of compliance with food safety standards set by relevant authorities, such as the FDA, USDA, or other governing bodies.
• Packaging details such as using temper-evident, sealed, and durable packaging for food items to ensure they are shipped and stored properly. Plus, the labels must include necessary information such as “best buy” dates, ingredient lists, nutritional facts, allergen warnings, and country of origin. 

Step 7: Create Product Listings

Once approved, you can start listing your products to sell foods on Amazon. When creating your listings, make sure to:

• Follow Amazon’s Grocery Style Guide for product titles, descriptions, and bullet points.
• Include necessary information, such as dietary claims (e.g., Organic, Kosher, Gluten-Free) and allergen details.
• Provide accurate Price Per Unit (PPU) information to help customers compare products.

Step 8: Promote and Market Your Products

To drive sales and boost visibility, you’ll need to effectively market your food products. Here are some strategies to sell foods on Amazon:

• Amazon Advertising: Use Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display Ads to increase visibility in search results and product pages.
• Amazon Prime: If using FBA, your products become Prime-eligible, offering fast shipping to millions of members, improving your chances of sales.
• Coupons and Discounts: Offer coupons or set up promotions like Buy One, Get One (BOGO) to attract customers.
• Amazon Fresh: If applicable, list fresh food items on Amazon Fresh to reach a broader grocery-shopping audience.
• A+ Content: Enhance your listings with detailed images and descriptions to improve customer engagement and conversions.
• Customer Reviews: Encourage positive reviews, which can influence buying decisions and increase trust.

Amazon’s Grocery and Gourmet Foods General Temperature Requirements 

Certain food items, such as refrigerated, frozen, or heat-sensitive products, require specific temperature-controlled packaging to ensure they arrive in optimal condition. Sellers must use insulated containers, gel packs, or dry ice when necessary.

Here are the temperature guidelines for perishable foods on Amazon:

Conclusion 

Selling food on Amazon offers great potential, but it requires careful attention to rules and regulations. You need to follow packaging, labeling, and temperature control guidelines while choosing the right fulfillment method. By staying compliant, managing your inventory well, and using Amazon’s tools to promote your products, you can build a successful food business on the platform.

FAQ

Is selling food on Amazon still profitable in 2025?

Yes, selling food on Amazon can still be profitable with the right products, compliance, and marketing strategies.

Do you need a license to sell food on Amazon?

Yes, you need to comply with local food safety regulations and may require specific licenses depending on the product.

How much does it cost to sell food on Amazon?

Costs vary, but you’ll pay Amazon’s selling fees, fulfillment costs (if using FBA), and any licensing or packaging fees required for food products.

Do I need FDA approval to sell food on Amazon?

No, but your food must meet FDA regulations and local laws for packaging, labeling, and safety standards.

Can I sell frozen food on Amazon?

Yes, you can sell frozen food on Amazon, but it requires strict temperature control and packaging to ensure safe delivery.

Which countries have Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is available in select countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Japan.

Does Amazon allow items that expire quickly?

Amazon allows items with short shelf lives but requires accurate expiration dates and proper inventory management to prevent issues.