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Vermont Food Labeling Requirements

Vermont food labeling requirements for home-based producers come from the Vermont Department of Health. Every packaged product shows your name and address, the product name, the ingredients from most to least, the net weight or volume, and allergen information. Selling under a license exemption? Add "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health" in at least 10-point type. Cottage food operators can sell up to $30,000 a year without a license.

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Vermont food labeling requirements: map of the United States with Vermont highlighted
Home kitchen label

Required on every Vermont home-based food label

This is the Health Department's label list for home-based food. Producers selling under a license exemption add the home kitchen statement.

Example Vermont maple sugar cookie label with the producer's physical address, ingredients from most to least, a Contains line and the home kitchen statement in at least 10-point type in a contrasting color
  1. 1
    Name and address of the producerManufactured Food Rule 6.2.1
    Use the physical address of your home kitchen, not a PO box, so the business can be found in a recall or traceback.
  2. 2
    Name of the food
    What it is, like "Maple Sugar Cookies" or "Apple Cider Jelly".
  3. 3
    Ingredients from most to least
    Every ingredient, from the one used in the greatest amount to the smallest.
  4. 4
    Net weight or volume
    How much is inside, like "Net Wt 8 oz (227 g)" or "12 fl oz".
  5. 5
    Allergen information
    As federal labeling requires, for the nine major allergens. Put them in parentheses, like "Flour (Wheat)", or in a "Contains" line after the ingredients.
  6. 6
    Nutrition labels with a claim
    Needed if you make a nutrient content or health claim, like "sugar-free", "low fat" or "reduces risk of heart disease", or give other nutrition information.
  7. 7
    The home kitchen statement (exempt only)
    "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health" in at least 10-point font, in a color that contrasts with the label background.
  8. Bulk display instead of a labelVermont ruleFood sold from bulk containers doesn't need a label on every piece. A clearly visible sign, placard or table tent at the service location with the label information works instead.
Vermont at a glance

License exemptions, caps and steps

Cottage food exemption$30,000 a yearGross annual receipts from shelf-stable cottage foods made in your home kitchen or a kitchen on your own property.
Small processor exemption$10,000 a yearFor other processed foods packaged for resale. You can use both: up to $30,000 of cottage food plus up to $10,000 of processed foods.
Every yearTrain + fileTake the Health Department's online training and file the license exemption form in its online portal. No license fee.
RestaurantsNot allowedFood made under an exemption can't be sold to restaurants or other licensed food establishments. They buy only from licensed manufacturers.
What counts as a cottage food in VermontFood that needs no refrigeration or time/temperature control: shelf-stable baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, dry herbs, trail mix, granola, cereal, mixed nuts, flavored vinegar, popcorn, coffee beans and dry tea. Quiche, cheese danish, cheesecake, meats and dehydrated fruits and vegetables don't qualify.Baked Goods Label →
Maple-only sugarhousesNot a food manufacturerA place where only maple syrup or maple products are prepared is not a food manufacturing establishment under Vermont's food licensing law, so the Health Department's food manufacturing license and exemption rules don't cover it.18 V.S.A. § 4301Maple Syrup Label Design →
Home-canned pickles can qualifypH 4.6Home-canned pickles, vegetables or fruits count as cottage food at an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower, or a water activity of 0.85 or less, made with a National Center for Home Food Preservation recipe or one reviewed by a food processing authority.Pickle Label Design →
Over the cap or selling to cafes?Then you need a Health Department license with an opening inspection. A Home Bakery License costs $100 a year; other food processors with $10,001 to $50,000 in gross receipts pay $175. The home kitchen statement goes away, and the federal label rules decide the rest: net quantity in two units, name and place of business, allergens and usually a Nutrition Facts panel.18 V.S.A. § 4353FDA Food Labeling Requirements →
Sources

Where this comes from

Questions

Vermont label questions

Not if your gross cottage food sales stay at $30,000 a year or less. Take the Health Department's online training, file the exemption form every year, and label each package with the home kitchen statement. Above that, you need a Home Bakery License. Cottage Food Law →

Related pages

QUIZDo I Need a Nutrition Label?COTTAGE FOODCottage Food Label RequirementsPRODUCTMaple Syrup Label DesignPRODUCTCookie Label TemplateLABEL MAKERCottage Food Label MakerGUIDEAllergen Labeling Requirements (FALCPA)LABEL MAKERNutrition Label Maker

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