# Cottage food label requirements in Hawaii

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch before printing labels. Last checked 2026-08-05.

## What goes on the label

1. The product name, in words a customer would use.
2. Every ingredient, heaviest first.
3. The major allergens, called out separately from the ingredient list.
4. Who made it: your name or your business name.
5. How to reach you.
6. The date it was made.

## The required statement

As published for Hawaii:

> Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.

## Detail

Homemade Food (HMF) operations under HAR Chapter 11-50 are exempt from a food establishment permit. The DOH fact sheet lists five required label elements: the statement above; the common or descriptive name of the product; an ingredient list if 2+ ingredients, in descending order by weight; the major food allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame); and the operator's name and contact information. Note that DOH's own sample label shows a mailing/contact line of business name, website and email - it does not show a street address. Operators must complete DOH or ANSI-accredited food safety training. Since the Act 195 (2024) rule amendments, HMF may be sold online and wholesaled to permitted establishments. Hawaii counties have no health departments; DOH Food Safety Branch has per-island offices.

## Sources

- Authority: Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch (Sanitation Branch) - island district offices
- Rule: https://health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2019/09/hmf-foods-01.29.2026.pdf
- Authority page: https://health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2019/09/hmf-foods-01.29.2026.pdf