# Cottage food label requirements in Kentucky

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public 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 Kentucky:

> This product is home-produced and processed.

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

## Other requirements

- The date the product was processed.
- Allergen identification for milk, eggs, wheat, soybean (soy), peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish (in the ingredient list or a 'Contains:' statement).

## Detail

This is the Home-Based Processor (HBP) program under KRS 217.136 / 902 KAR 45:090. Registration is required first: form DFS-250 plus a $50 fee mailed to KY Food Safety Branch, 275 East Main Street, HS1C-F, Frankfort KY 40621; the registration runs April 1 to March 31. Label must also carry the operation's name and full street address, city, state and zip; ingredients in descending order by weight; net weight or volume. Only foods listed in 902 KAR 45:090 are allowed (bread, cakes, cookies, fruit pies, pecan pies, candy, jams and jellies from high-acid fruit, dried/freeze-dried produce, granola, popcorn, sorghum and maple syrup, etc.); anything off the list gets the application rejected. Home-Based Microprocessors (KRS 217.137) are a separate program and must submit draft labels to the cabinet for review before marketing. Do not shorten to 'home-produced' - the statutory phrase includes 'and processed'.

## Sources

- Authority: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health, Food Safety Branch (Frankfort)
- Rule: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dphps/fsb/FSDocs/hbplabelguide.pdf
- Authority page: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dphps/fsb/Pages/homebasedprocessing.aspx