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New York State Food Labeling Requirements

New York State food labeling requirements for home processors cover five things: the product name, the ingredients by weight, the net quantity, your name and full address, and every major allergen called out. Ag and Markets also asks for a home-kitchen phrase like "Made in a Home Kitchen". Register for the free Home Processor exemption, then sell anywhere inside New York, including wholesale to local shops and cafes.

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New York State food labeling requirements: map of the United States with New York highlighted
Home processor label

Required on every New York home processor label

These are the label rules from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Example New York home processor label for oatmeal raisin cookies with ingredients, net weight, business name and full address, Contains line and the Made in a Home Kitchen phrase
  1. 1
    Common name of the product
    The usual name, like "Oatmeal Raisin Cookies" or "Strawberry Jam".
  2. 2
    Ingredients by weight
    Every ingredient in order of predominance by weight, heaviest first.
  3. 3
    Net quantity of contents
    How much is in the package, for example "NET WT 12 oz (340g)".
  4. 4
    Your name and full address
    Processor name plus street address or PO Box, city, state and ZIP code. A PO Box works if you'd rather not print your street.
  5. 5
    Allergens
    Clearly identify milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and sesame in the ingredient statement. A "Contains" line makes it easy to spot.
  6. 6
    The home-kitchen phrase
    Ag and Markets asks home processors to add a phrase like "Made at Home by XYZ," "Made in the Home Kitchen of XYZ," or "Made in a Home Kitchen," in letters 1/16 inch or taller.
  7. Register before you sellFreeThe Home Processor exemption needs a registration with Ag and Markets. There is no fee and no expiration, but it is tied to your address, so you reapply if you move. On a private well? Send a lab test showing your water is negative for total coliform and E. coli.
New York at a glance

Registration, sales and inspections

RegistrationFreeA Home Processor Registration with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Add products later with a supplemental request.
Where you can sellNew York onlyFarms, farmers markets, craft fairs, home delivery, online and wholesale to New York stores, cafes and restaurants. No shipping out of state.
Kitchen inspectionOnly on complaintAg and Markets reviews home kitchens only when someone files a complaint.
PackagingAt homeEverything must be packaged and labeled at home. Packing food at a market or event is not allowed.
NYS honey label requirementsOwn exemptionHoney producers who don't buy honey from others to repackage, and don't mix in ingredients that could grow bacteria, are exempt from food processing (Article 20-C) licensing. A product with added ingredients must be more than 50% honey by weight and need no refrigeration before opening. Every jar must be properly labeled. The same exemption covers maple syrup.Honey Labeling Requirements (FDA) →
Want to ship out of state or make more foods?Then you need a licensed facility, and federal rules decide the label: a full ingredient list, net quantity and usually a Nutrition Facts label.FDA Food Labeling Requirements →
Sources

Where this comes from

Questions

New York label questions

Yes. New York home processors may sell wholesale to restaurants, cafes and grocery stores, as long as they are in New York State and the items are packaged and labeled at home.

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