Maryland Cottage Food Label Template
Maryland cottage food label template, top to bottom: the product name, your business name and home address (or the ID number the Maryland Department of Health gives you, plus your phone number), the ingredients with every sub-ingredient, the allergens, the net weight, and the line "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations." in 10-point type or larger. Selling to a grocery store adds your phone, email and the date made. Grab our free template, or let our tool write the ingredient list and Contains line from your recipe.
What goes where on a Maryland cottage food label
This is the order the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) uses on its own sample labels. Fill it in from top to bottom, in English, and stick it on the package before the food leaves your kitchen.
- 1Product name, at the topHealth-General § 21-330.1(c)The common name of the food. MDH suggests a name that also flags an allergen, so "Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies" beats "Chocolate Chip Cookies" when there are walnuts inside.
- 2Business name and home addressHealth-General § 21-330.1(c), (d)The name of your cottage food business and the physical address of your home kitchen. A post office box is not accepted. Prefer to keep your address off the label? Ask MDH for a unique ID number and print that, plus your business phone number.
- 3Ingredients, sub-ingredients includedCOMAR 10.15.03.27CEvery ingredient in descending order by weight. Ingredients that have their own ingredient list (flour, chocolate chips, butter) show it in parentheses, so a shopper with an allergy can see everything.
- 4AllergensCOMAR 10.15.03.27CName the major food allergens as federal rules require: inside the ingredient list, or in a "Contains:" line right below it. MDH's samples use the Contains line.
- 5Net weight, volume or countHow much is in the package, like "Net Wt. 3 oz / 85 g". MDH also accepts a count, such as one dozen cookies.
- 6The cottage food statementHealth-General § 21-330.1(c)(2)(ii)Word for word, in 10-point type or larger, in a color that clearly contrasts with the label background: "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations."
- 7Nutrition information, only with a claimCOMAR 10.15.03.27CPrint "low fat" or another nutrition claim and you need the nutrition information federal rules ask for. No claim, no panel.
- Selling to a grocery store? Three more linesRetail labelFor a retail food store, add your business phone number, your email address and the date the food was made. MDH reviews that label and your food safety course before you sell, and you wait for its compliance letter.
Sales cap, review and where you can sell
Where this comes from
- MDH: Comprehensive Cottage Food Labeling GuidelinesOfficial label guide with one-piece, two-piece and retail sample labels
- MDH: Guidelines for Cottage Food BusinessesAllowed and not allowed foods, labels, retail store sales
- MDH: Cottage Food Frequently Asked QuestionsAddresses, allergens, honey, online and mail sales
- Maryland Health-General § 21-330.1The law: label items and the required statement
- Chapter 320 (House Bill 535): Cottage Food Businesses, Maximum Annual RevenueRaises the sales cap in Health-General § 21-301(b-1) to $100,000
- COMAR 10.15.03.27: Farmer's Market, Bake Sales, and Cottage Food BusinessThe regulation: label, ID number and retail store review
Maryland label questions
Either your home kitchen's street address or the unique ID number MDH issues you. A P.O. box doesn't count. With an ID number, the label also shows your business name and phone number. Maryland Cottage Food Law →
At least 10-point type, in a color that clearly contrasts with the background. MDH says it must be worded exactly as the regulation states it.
Allergens must be declared, but you can do it two ways: name them inside the ingredient list, with the allergen in parentheses when the name does not say it (like "whole wheat flour" or "whey (milk)"), or add a "Contains:" line after it. Allergen Labeling Requirements (FALCPA) →
Yes, as long as each label lists that product's own name, ingredients, allergens and net weight. Keep the business details and the statement the same, and swap the rest per recipe.
Only if you make a nutrition or health claim, like "low fat" or "helps reduce cholesterol". Without a claim, Maryland doesn't ask for one.
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