# Cottage food label requirements in Iowa

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing 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 Iowa:

> This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection.

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.

## Other requirements

- If the cottage food contains one or more major food allergens, an additional allergen statement identifying each major allergen by its common name.
- If the food is home-processed and home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits, the date the food was processed and canned.

## Detail

Iowa Code 137F.20 is fixed statutory text and introduces the sentence with 'The following statement:', so reproduce it exactly, period included. Label must also carry the preparer's name and address/phone/email, the common name of the food, and ingredients in descending order of predominance. The exemption applies only when the producer sells and delivers directly to the consumer (in person, remote, phone, internet, mail, or the producer's own agent/employee). No net weight and no type size are specified. Statute also says compliance with the state cottage food exemption is NOT compliance with federal law. A separate Home Food Processing Establishment (HFPE) license exists for products beyond cottage food; HFPEs are licensed and inspected and do NOT use this statement.

## Sources

- Authority: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Food Safety Bureau
- Rule: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/137F.20.pdf
- Authority page: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels/cottage-food-law