Do I legally need a special label for cottage food, or can I just write on the bag?
Yes, a real label is required in every US state that allows cottage food sales — a marker note on a bag doesn't meet any state's rule. Exactly what the label must say is set state-by-state (and sometimes county-by-county), which is why this generator asks for your state before it writes the disclosure line.
What has to be on a cottage food label?
Almost every state requires the same core set: the product's common name, an ingredient list in descending order by weight, the net weight or volume, a plain-language allergen statement for the major allergens, your business name and address (or a registration/permit number some states let you use instead), and a disclosure sentence saying the food was made in an uninspected home kitchen. The exact wording of that disclosure sentence is different in every state.
Is this label generator free?
Yes — the generator, the live preview, and printing or saving a PDF are all free and run entirely in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded anywhere. The paid Cottage Food Label Kit on Gumroad is a separate, optional download with 20+ pre-built printable layouts, an allergen sheet, and a 15-state requirements cheat sheet for anyone who wants ready-made designs instead of the plain generator output.
Can I use one label design for every state I sell in?
Only if you swap the disclosure sentence for the state you're selling in — the ingredient list, allergen statement, and net weight fields are consistent nationwide, but the required disclosure sentence ("Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected...", "This product is home produced", etc.) is state-specific and most states require the exact wording, not a paraphrase.
Do I need a permit number on the label?
It depends on the state. Texas lets registered operators print a DSHS identification number instead of a home address. New York requires registration with the Department of Agriculture and Markets before you sell, though the registration itself isn't a number you print on the label. California, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio don't require a permit number on the label itself. Check your state's page on this site, then confirm with your state agency before you print.
Does this generator check whether my product is even allowed as a cottage food?
No — it only builds the label. Every state maintains its own list of foods allowed under its cottage food law (typically shelf-stable baked goods, jams, candies, and dry mixes; almost never anything requiring refrigeration). Confirm your product is on your state's approved list before you rely on a cottage food exemption at all.
