# Cottage food label requirements in North Dakota

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging Division 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 North Dakota:

> This product is made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department.

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.

## Detail

N.D.C.C. 23-09.5-02(8) gives the operator a choice: display a consumer advisory SIGN at the point of sale, or put the label on the product. It is not required in both places. No licence, permit, certification, inspection, packaging or labelling may be required by any state agency or political subdivision for cottage food sales (23-09.5-02(1)), so this sentence plus the refrigeration disclosure below is the whole state labelling burden. Separately, 23-09.5-02(7): products that require refrigeration, such as baked goods containing cream, custard, meringue, cheesecake, pumpkin pie and cream cheese, must carry safe handling instructions AND a product disclosure statement indicating the product was transported and maintained frozen. Sales must be direct to an informed end consumer for home consumption; cottage food may not be sold or used in any food establishment, food processing plant or food store.

## Sources

- Authority: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging Division
- Rule: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t23c09-5.pdf
- Authority page: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/health/food-and-lodging/cottage-food