Florida Cottage Food Labeling Requirements

Why Labels Matter

Proper labeling isn't just about following the law - it:

Protects your customers with allergen information
Builds trust and professionalism
Helps you stand out from competitors
Provides legal protection for your business

Required Label Elements

1. Business Name

Your registered business name must appear on the label. This could be:

Your legal business name
A registered DBA (Doing Business As)
Your personal name if you don't have a business name

2. Business Address

Your complete physical address where the product was made:

Street address
City
State
ZIP code

Note: P.O. boxes are not acceptable.

3. Product Name

Clearly identify what's in the package:

"Chocolate Chip Cookies"
"Strawberry Jam"
"Banana Bread"

The name should accurately describe the product.

4. Ingredients List

List all ingredients in descending order by weight:

The ingredient that weighs the most goes first
The ingredient that weighs the least goes last

Example:

"Ingredients: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Chocolate Chips, Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Baking Soda, Salt"

5. Net Weight or Quantity

Provide the amount of product:

Weight: "Net Wt. 12 oz (340g)"
Count: "12 cookies"
Volume: "16 fl oz (473 ml)"

Include both U.S. customary and metric measurements.

6. Allergen Statement

If your product contains any of the 8 major allergens, you must declare them:

Milk
Eggs
Fish
Shellfish
Tree Nuts
Peanuts
Wheat
Soybeans

Two acceptable formats:

Contains statement:

"Contains: Milk, Eggs, Wheat"

Parenthetical in ingredients:

"Ingredients: Flour (Wheat), Sugar, Butter (Milk), Eggs..."

7. Required Disclaimer

This exact statement must appear on every label:

"Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."

This cannot be abbreviated or reworded.

Label Design Tips

Placement

All required information should be:

On the same panel if possible
Easy to read without removing the product
Contrasting with background color

Professional Touches

Use consistent fonts
Include your logo
Choose quality label materials
Consider waterproof labels for jams/preserves

Sample Label Layout

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│      [Your Logo]                │
│   Sweet Home Bakery             │
│   123 Main St                   │
│   Orlando, FL 32801             │
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│                                 │
│    Chocolate Chip Cookies       │
│                                 │
│    Net Wt. 8 oz (227g)          │
│                                 │
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│ Ingredients: Flour, Sugar,      │
│ Butter, Chocolate Chips, Eggs,  │
│ Vanilla, Baking Soda, Salt      │
│                                 │
│ Contains: Milk, Eggs, Wheat     │
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│ Made in a cottage food          │
│ operation that is not subject   │
│ to Florida's food safety        │
│ regulations.                    │
└─────────────────────────────────┘

Common Labeling Mistakes

1. Missing Required Disclaimer

This is the most common violation. Always include the full disclaimer.

2. Wrong Ingredient Order

Ingredients must be in descending order by weight, not alphabetical.

3. Missing Allergens

If in doubt, include it. It's better to over-declare than under-declare.

4. Using a P.O. Box

You must use your actual physical address.

5. Illegible Text

If customers can't read it, it doesn't count.

Create Your Labels for Free

Don't want to design labels from scratch? Use our free Label Generator to create compliant, professional labels in minutes.

Label Printing Options

DIY Options

Inkjet printer with label paper
Avery labels
Online printing services

Professional Options

Local print shops
Online label companies
Label printers (Dymo, Brother)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I handwrite my labels?

Technically yes, but printed labels look more professional and are easier to read.

Do I need nutrition facts?

No, cottage food operations are exempt from nutrition labeling requirements.

Can I use a sticker for just the disclaimer?

Yes, as long as all required information appears somewhere on the packaging.

What if I run out of labels?

Always have backup labels or a way to print more before markets.