Georgia Cottage Food Label Requirements
Georgia cottage food label requirements are short under the Georgia cottage food law, HB 398: your business name, address and phone number (or a GDA identification number in place of the address), plus one required statement in at least 10-point type. There is no state license, and you can sell to grocery stores and restaurants too.
Required on every Georgia cottage food label
The first three come straight from HB 398. The last two are what the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) still expects.
- 1Business nameO.C.G.A. 26-2-473(a)(1)The name of your cottage food business, as customers know it.
- 2Address and phone numberO.C.G.A. 26-2-473(a)(1)Your address and telephone number. Rather keep your address private? Request an identification number from the GDA and print that instead. The phone number stays.
- 3The required statementO.C.G.A. 26-2-473(a)(2)Word for word, in at least 10-point type: 'This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.'
- 4Allergen declarationsThe GDA says these are still required by law and regulation. Name any of the 9 major allergens in the ingredients or in a "Contains" line.
- 5Product name, ingredients, net weightGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-7-19-.09Georgia's cottage food rule (40-7-19-.09) still lists the common name, ingredients in descending order by weight, and the net weight or volume. HB 398 doesn't repeat them, but print them anyway: the rule is still on the books and stores will ask for them.Net Weight Labeling Requirements →
- Old labels use different wordingOld wordingLabels made under the old rule said “MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS.” HB 398 spells out the residential property statement above. Reprint with that wording.
Licensing, sales and where the label goes
Where this comes from
- Georgia Department of Agriculture: Cottage FoodOfficial state program page
- Georgia Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food FAQHoney and syrup are not cottage foods
- HB 398: Georgia cottage food law (O.C.G.A. 26-2-470 et seq.)The law itself: label items, statement, sales channels
- GDA: Cottage Food Update, HB 398 FAQNo license, store sales, local opt-out
- GDA: Registration for Identification NumberThe ID number that replaces your address
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-7-19-.09: Product LabelsThe existing cottage food label rule
Georgia label questions
No. HB 398 removed the state license and the fee. The GDA no longer inspects before you start, but it still investigates complaints and foodborne illness reports. Georgia Cottage Food Law →
Yes. Ask the GDA for an identification number and print it in place of your address. Your business name, phone number, allergens and the statement must still be on the label. The number is tied to your home, so you re-register if you move.
Yes, unless your city or county passed an ordinance that opts out of store sales. The store shows cottage food in its own section or case, marked as exempt from state inspection.
For telephone or custom orders you may skip the printed label, but you must tell the buyer the food was made at a residential property exempt from state inspection and may contain allergens. Keep your name and contact details ready if they ask.
Foods that don't need refrigeration for safety, such as breads, cakes without cream fillings, jams and jellies, fudge, dill pickles, dry pasta, roasted coffee beans, granola and popcorn. Alcoholic drinks, foods with cannabis and raw milk are out.
Yes. A GA cottage food label carries the residential property statement and can use a GDA ID number instead of an address. Food from a licensed kitchen gets a standard packaged-food label without that statement.
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