# Cottage food label requirements in New Jersey

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with New Jersey Department of Health, Cottage Food Operator program 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 New Jersey:

> This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.

## Detail

Permit is state-issued and the permit NUMBER must appear on the label, along with the operator's name, business name, and the municipality where the food was made followed by 'New Jersey' or 'NJ'. Also required: common name of the product, ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, and a 'Contains' allergen statement. The same sentence must be posted on a placard, displayed with the permit, whenever selling anywhere other than the operator's or the consumer's residence (N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.4). Local municipalities may separately require their own permits for farmers markets and street fairs, but they do not administer the cottage food rule.

## Sources

- Authority: New Jersey Department of Health, Cottage Food Operator program (issues the Cottage Food Operator Permit)
- Rule: https://www.nj.gov/health/cottagefood/rules-resources/rules
- Authority page: https://www.nj.gov/health/cottagefood/