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What needs to go on your cottage food label?

Select your state to get a visual label mockup, the exact required disclaimer text, and a full checklist of required elements — ready to print.

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Everything You Need to Know About Food Labels

Why labeling matters

Labels aren't just legal compliance — they build customer trust. A clear, professional label with your business name, ingredients, and allergens tells buyers you take your craft seriously. Legally, the disclaimer text protects your cottage food status by communicating that your kitchen isn't commercially inspected.

Allergen requirements

The FDA requires disclosure of the top 9 allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. These must appear either in the ingredients list (bolded) or in a separate "Contains" statement. For cottage food sellers, this isn't optional — it's a liability issue.

Common labeling mistakes

The most frequent mistakes: missing the state disclaimer entirely, listing ingredients in the wrong order (must be descending by weight), omitting allergens, and not including a date of production. Some sellers also forget to include their address — not just their business name — which is required in nearly every state.

Label printing tips

Start with Avery 8160 or 8162 templates — they work with standard home printers and MS Word or Canva. For moisture-resistant labels, look for "weatherproof" inkjet labels. When your volume grows, services like Sticker Mule or Canva Print offer affordable short runs with much better print quality than home printers.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a label on my cottage food products?
Yes — virtually every state requires labels on cottage food products. The disclaimer text alone (e.g. "Made in a Home Kitchen Not Inspected by...") is legally required in all 50 states that have cottage food laws. Skipping it puts your legal selling status at risk and could result in fines or a cease-and-desist.
What's the most important thing to include on a cottage food label?
The state-required disclaimer is the non-negotiable element. Beyond that, ingredients (in descending order by weight) and allergen declarations are the most legally and practically important. The FDA's top 9 allergens — milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame — must be clearly disclosed.
Do I need to list allergens even for simple products like cookies?
Yes. If your product contains or may contain any of the top 9 allergens (wheat, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame), you must disclose them. For baked goods, this almost always means wheat, eggs, and dairy at minimum. Many states require allergens to be bolded or listed separately after the ingredients list.
Can I print my own labels at home?
Absolutely. Many cottage food sellers design labels in Canva and print them on Avery label sheets at home. This works well when you're starting out. As you scale, professional printing services offer better durability, especially for products stored in the fridge or with moisture exposure.
What font size is required for cottage food labels?
Most states don't specify an exact minimum font size for cottage food labels, though they require labels to be "legible" and "clearly visible." As a practical rule, use at least 6–8pt for ingredient and allergen text, and make the disclaimer no smaller than the other body copy on the label.

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