Is there anyone that ships cakes, cupcakes, or cake pops? Or perhaps cheesecakes. I know of course custom cakes can't be shipped but I wanted to get some information on some possibilities for shipping dessert cakes (i.e. pound cakes), pies, cupcakes or cheesecakes, and how would one go about it. Would it be terribly expensive?

Any thoughts.

Unless the product is shelf-stable at room temperature (and resistant to damage from movement) I wouldn't bother with shipping, temperature-controlled shipping is just too expensive for the mainstream market.

I know of at least one business that ships cupcakes, but they ship them unfrosted with the frosting packaged separately.

Wrap a cheesecake, pie, or other cake in a shipping box. Set the box on the kitchen counter. With your arm, shove the box off the counter onto the floor. For good measure, drop a cantaloupe or watermelon on the box.

Open the box. If the dessert inside is still in tact, it can be shipped.

There are actually many companies who ship perishable goods on the mainstream market. Order something from them to see how they do it.

I usually reply about needing FDA approval, but Jason already let you know. The FDA requirements for shipping are why there is a $25.00 charge for the shipping to keep it safe for consumption.

This has nothing to do with having an FDA approved kitchen, which had relatively high standards. It must be separate, and basically have all of the equipment and surfaces as any restaurant. This includes floor drains, the right size three basin sink, and proper storage. After all physical requirements are met, you must register with the Bioterrorism Act, keep all records on their forms for their chosen amount of time, have a recall protocol, and have all recipes analyzed with proper approved nutritional labeling, just like on the food you buy at the store. Failure to comply, and the feds will be at your door with a nice set of hefty fines and a note to the IRS to check you out. Since 9/11, shipping across state lines is taken very seriously and is not worth getting caught.

For those who do want to proceed legally, your state dept of ag will have the application. In my area, an FDA certification superceeds the county cert and they don't have to inspect. That is how thorough FDA kitchens are inspected.

I built my kitchen to FDA specs, but my inspector was deployed when I opened. I haven't done it yet. I keep forgetting to call. After all approvals, the items cost around $125.00 each to be analyzed. Then you need to buy the approved label for that product. Maybe that is why I haven't called.