Cottage food label requirements in Georgia
The short version
A label on food made in a home kitchen in Georgia carries six things wherever you are: what it is, everything in it heaviest first, the major allergens, who made it, how to reach you, and the date. On top of that comes the wording below.
What goes on the label
- The product name, in words a customer would use.
- Every ingredient, heaviest first.
- The major allergens, called out separately from the ingredient list.
- Who made it: your name or your business name.
- How to reach you.
- The date it was made.
What the label has to say
As published for Georgia, read on 5 August 2026:
MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS
This is published as fixed text, so reproduce it exactly rather than rewording it. It has to appear at 10 point type or larger, which is part of the requirement rather than a design choice.
The detail
GDA's FAQ requires the statement in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, in Times New Roman or Arial, at least 10-point type, in a color that contrasts with the label background; hand-printed labels are allowed if legible, in durable permanent ink, and sized to match. Label must also carry the operation's name and address, common name of the product, ingredients in descending order by weight, NET WEIGHT or net volume, and federal allergen labeling. HB 398 (signed 13 May 2025, effective 1 July 2025) removed the GDA cottage food license and fee entirely, so there is no state registration; GDA has said it will rewrite Rule 40-7-19 and is using enforcement discretion until it does. HB 398 bars cities and counties from regulating cottage food except by an ordinance opting out of third-party retail sales; local business licensing and zoning still apply.
Make one
Free, nothing saved, no account. It fills in Georgia's wording for you and prints a sheet.
Where to verify all of this
Rules change, and this page can lag behind them. Before you rely on any of it: