Hawaii Food Labeling Requirements
Hawaii food labeling requirements for homemade food come from the Department of Health food safety rules (HAR chapter 11-50). Every package carries five things: the statement "Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health", the product name, the ingredients by weight, the major allergens, and your name and contact information. No food establishment permit is needed. You do need a food safety certificate, and then you can sell in person, online, by mail and even through local shops and restaurants.
Required on every Hawaii homemade food product
Hawaii calls this a homemade food operation. Package each product the way you sell it, then label it with these five items.
- 1The home kitchen statementHAR 11-50-35(c)(4)(A)Word for word: "Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health".
- 2Common name of the foodHAR 11-50-35(c)(4)(B)The usual name, like "Macadamia Nut Shortbread". No common name? Use a clear descriptive name.
- 3Ingredients and sub-ingredientsHAR 11-50-35(c)(4)(C)For anything made from two or more ingredients: every ingredient and sub-ingredient, in descending order of predominance by weight.
- 4Major food allergensHAR 11-50-35(c)(4)(D)Say which of the nine are present: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. A Contains line under the ingredients works well.
- 5Your name and contact informationHAR 11-50-35(c)(4)(E)The name of the producer and a way to reach you. The Department of Health sample label uses a business name, website and email.
- Get your food safety certificate firstRequiredHomemade food operators must complete a food safety course from the Department of Health or a program it approves. ANSI-accredited online courses count. Keep a handwashing sink with soap ready whenever you prepare food.
Permit, sales channels and allowed foods
Where this comes from
- Hawaii DOH Food Safety Branch: Homemade Food ProductsOfficial fact sheet: label items, training, sales and a sample label
- Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 11-50: Food Safety CodeSections 11-50-2, 11-50-3(c) and 11-50-35(c): definitions, exemption, label rule
- Hawaii DOH Food Safety BranchFood safety classes, rules and local office contacts
Hawaii label questions
No food establishment permit. You do need a food safety certificate from a Department of Health course or an approved program, such as an ANSI-accredited online course. The permit exemption doesn't stop the department from inspecting where you cook.
Yes. Hawaii's rules allow sales to the consumer by phone or internet, and delivery by you, an agent, a third-party vendor, by mail or by shipping.
Yes. Hawaii lets you sell homemade food to permitted food establishments that resell it. If a restaurant serves it or uses it in a dish, it must disclose in writing that the product is homemade and show your label to any customer who asks.
Yes. Some markets and events require a Special Event permit. Your homemade food status means you don't need a Department of Health permit, but the Food Safety Branch can review and sign off a Special Event application if the organizer wants one. How to Sell at a Farmers Market →
No. Hawaii's definition of homemade food products leaves out dried meats and seafood. Those need a permitted facility.
It is not one of the five items in the homemade food label rule. Federal rules still require one if your label makes a nutrient claim, like "low sugar".
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