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California Food Label Requirements

California food label requirements start with federal law: the state adopts every FDA food labeling regulation as its own. Home cooks selling under the California Homemade Food Act add a few extras: “Made in a Home Kitchen” in 12-point type, your registration or permit number, and the county that issued it. Here is everything a California cottage food label needs.

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California food label requirements: map of the United States with California highlighted
Cottage food label

Required on every California cottage food label

The same list applies to Class A and Class B cottage food operations. Only the number you print is different.

Example California label for almond biscotti with MADE IN A HOME KITCHEN in 12-point type, registration number and county, ingredients, a Contains line and net weight in ounces and grams
  1. 1
    “Made in a Home Kitchen”Cal. Health & Safety Code 114365.2(e)(1)
    These exact words in 12-point type on the front (principal display) panel. Repackaging a bought ready-to-eat item? Use “Repackaged in a Home Kitchen” and describe that item.
  2. 2
    Product nameCal. Health & Safety Code 114365.2(e)(2)
    The common name or a clear descriptive name, like "Almond biscotti", on the front panel.
  3. 3
    Your business name and locationCal. Health & Safety Code 114365.2(e)(3)
    The name of your cottage food operation with city and zip code. CDPH adds: if you are not in a current phone directory, include your street address too.
  4. 4
    Registration or permit number, plus countyCal. Health & Safety Code 114365.2(e)(4)
    Class A prints its registration number, Class B its permit number, along with the name of the county that issued it.
  5. 5
    IngredientsCal. Health & Safety Code 114365.2(e)(5)
    In descending order of predominance by weight, whenever the product has two or more ingredients.
  6. 6
    Net quantity in two unitsCDPH cottage food labeling requirements
    Count, weight or volume, in both US and metric units, like "Net Wt. 6 oz (170 g)".
  7. 7
    AllergensCDPH cottage food labeling requirements
    In plain language, either inside the ingredient list or in a separate "Contains" statement right after it.
  8. Your ads need it tooCalifornia ruleWebsites, social media posts, newsletters and newspaper ads must show your county of approval, your permit or registration number, and the words “Made in a Home Kitchen”.
California at a glance

Class A, Class B, training and sales limits

Class ADirect salesRegister with your county environmental health department. No routine inspections. Base sales cap of $75,000 a year, raised every year for inflation.
Class BDirect + storesPermit after one initial inspection, then at most one routine inspection a year. Base sales cap of $150,000 a year, raised every year for inflation.
Sales capsInflation-adjustedBoth caps rise every year with the California CPI. CDPH publishes the current numbers.
TrainingWithin 3 monthsA CDPH-approved food processor course after you register, then again every three years.
Where it's validAll of CaliforniaA registration or permit from one county covers the whole state. Renew it every year.
California honey as cottage foodPure onlyHoney and sorghum syrups are on the Approved Cottage Food List, but only pure, with no added ingredients. Infused or cinnamon honey does not qualify.Custom Honey Label →
No salsa, hot sauce or picklesNot approvedCDPH keeps salsa, hot sauce, pickles, pepper jelly and pumpkin pie off the cottage food list because of botulism and spoilage risk. Those need a different route than a home kitchen.Packaged Food Label Maker →
Selling packaged food beyond cottage food?Then the federal rules apply in full, because California made them state law: name, net quantity, ingredients, allergens, your name and place of business, and usually a Nutrition Facts label.FDA Food Labeling Requirements →
Sources

Where this comes from

Questions

California label questions

The federal FDA rules. California law adopts every federal food labeling regulation as state law, so a label that meets FDA rules meets California's. Cottage food adds the home kitchen statement, your number and your county.

Related pages

LAWCalifornia Cottage Food LawGUIDEFDA Food Labeling RequirementsCOTTAGE FOODCottage Food Label RequirementsLABEL MAKERCottage Food Label MakerTEMPLATESourdough Bread Label TemplatePRODUCTCustom Honey LabelQUIZDo I Need a Nutrition Label?LABEL MAKERNutrition Label Maker

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