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Louisiana Cottage Food Law Label Requirements

Louisiana cottage food law label requirements come down to one line. State law (R.S. 40:4.9) asks for a label that clearly says the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility. That's it. Raw honey doesn't even need that. A good label adds the product name, your name, the ingredients and allergens, which is what federal rules expect on packaged food anyway.

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Louisiana cottage food law label requirements: map of the United States with Louisiana highlighted
Cottage food label

What goes on a Louisiana home food label

Item 1 is the Louisiana rule. Items 2 to 4 are the federal basics for packaged food that turn a sticker into a real label.

Example Louisiana cottage food label for pecan pralines with the product name, the maker's name and address, ingredients, a Contains line for milk and pecans, and a line saying it was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility
  1. 1
    The not-licensed statementLa. R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(a)
    The law asks for a label that "clearly indicates that the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility." It gives no fixed wording. A clear choice: "Made in a home kitchen. This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility."
  2. 2
    Product name21 CFR 101.3
    The usual name of the food, like "Pecan pralines", "Fig preserves" or "Cajun seasoning".
  3. 3
    Your name and address21 CFR 101.5
    Who made or packed it and where: street, city, state and ZIP. The street can be left off if your business is listed in a current phone or city directory.
  4. 4
    Ingredients and allergens21 CFR 101.4
    All ingredients from most to least by weight, and a Contains line for any of the 9 major allergens, like milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts or tree nuts (pecans count).
  5. Breads, cakes, cookies and pies have extra rulesBakersYou can't sell them to a store or anyone who resells them, and the home exemption ends if you hire help to make them. Keep flies and vermin out, keep equipment clean, and make custard or cream fillings with pasteurized milk, cooked to at least 145°F for 30 minutes and kept at 45°F or below.
Louisiana at a glance

Sales limit, permits and what you can make

Sales limitUnder $100,000Gross sales a year. Raised from $30,000 by House Bill 403 (Act 801). At $100,000 or more, the home exemption no longer applies.
Sanitary CodeExemptThe state Sanitary Code's rules on equipment, construction and utensils don't apply to low-risk foods made at home.
Sales tax certificateRequiredYou must be registered to collect local sales and use tax, with a current certificate from the parish where you sell.
Nutrition FactsNot requiredLouisiana's home food law doesn't ask for one. A claim like "sugar free" on the label brings in federal rules.
Honey label requirements in LouisianaSpecial ruleHoney and honeycomb products are low-risk foods. Raw honey that isn't pasteurized, filtered or processed to remove its natural pollen doesn't need the not-licensed statement at all. Pasteurized or filtered honey does.La. R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(b)Honey Labeling Requirements (FDA) →
Which foods count as low-risk?Baked goods, candies, cane syrup, dried mixes, honey, jams and jellies, pickles and acidified foods, sauces and syrups, and spices. None of them may contain animal muscle protein or fish protein, and no CBD.La. R.S. 40:4.9(E), (F)
Selling to stores or out of state?Then federal rules apply in full: net quantity, a complete ingredient list and usually a Nutrition Facts label.Nutrition Facts Label Requirements →
Sources

Where this comes from

Questions

Louisiana label questions

No fixed wording. The label has to clearly say the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility. Using those exact words is the safest way to meet it.

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