# Cottage food label requirements in Indiana

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with Indiana Department of Health, Food Protection Division, with county/city local health departments doing the on-the-ground checking 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 Indiana:

> This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE.

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.
Minimum type size: 10 point.

## Enforcement

Set centrally, enforced locally, so your own office's answer is the one that counts.
Find yours: https://www.in.gov/health/lhd/

## Detail

Indiana calls this a Home Based Vendor (HBV), IC 16-42-5.3-5. 'NOT FOR RESALE.' is part of the single required statement, not a separate line, and the whole thing must be at least 10 point type. It goes on a label for packaged food or on a SIGN for unpackaged food. The label must also carry the producer's name and address, the common or usual name of the product, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight or volume, and the date the product was processed. Allergen labelling is NOT required in Indiana (IDOH's FAQ says so explicitly), though nothing stops a maker adding it. If selling online, the label of each product must be posted on the vendor's website. No licence, no registration, no sales cap; IDOH may inspect on a complaint. No shipping or delivery to consumers outside Indiana, and shipping records must be kept one year.

## Sources

- Authority: Indiana Department of Health, Food Protection Division, with county/city local health departments doing the on-the-ground checking (including at farmers markets)
- Rule: https://www.in.gov/localhealth/harrisoncounty/food-protection/files/IC-16-42-5dot3-re-2022-HBV-rule.pdf
- Authority page: https://www.in.gov/health/lhd/