Cottage food rules
Arizona Cottage Food Law Label Requirements
Know what to put on an Arizona cottage food label and where to show it.
On this page
What to remember
- Attach a label to every cottage food product you sell.
- Printed or handwritten labels are allowed if the font is clear and legible.
- Include a list of ingredients, your food preparer’s registration number, and a pertinent allergen and disclosure statement.
- If you sell online, give a prominent notice with all the required label information.
If you are still getting registered, start with how to apply for cottage food law. The label rules below apply to cottage food products sold in Arizona.
What has to be on the label
Arizona law requires specified labeling information to appear on a food label attached to cottage food products sold in the state. A bill summary describes the current label requirements as a list of ingredients, the food preparer’s registration number, and a pertinent statement regarding allergens and other disclosure information. The state’s labeling document also says the product must be packaged at home with an attached label printed or handwritten in a clear and legible font.
The bill summary is a short place to confirm the required items before you print a batch. The labeling document is the place to check how the label should be attached and how clear the text needs to be. If you are unsure about an item, check those two sources before you sell.
How to build your label
Write your ingredient list
List the ingredients for the cottage food product. The bill summary names a list of ingredients as part of the current label requirements.
Add your registration number
Put the food preparer’s registration number on the label. The bill summary names it as a required item.
Add the allergen and disclosure statement
Include a pertinent statement regarding allergens and other disclosure information. The bill summary names this as part of the current requirements.
Print or handwrite it clearly
The label may be printed or handwritten. Use a clear and legible font so the required information can be read.
Attach it to the package
The product must be packaged at home with an attached label. Put the label on the package the buyer receives.
Add the online notice if you sell online
If the product is offered for sale online, provide a prominent notification with all of the required labeling information.
What changes when you sell online
If a cottage food product is offered for sale online, the registered cottage food preparer must provide a prominent notification that includes all of the required labeling information. Put that notice where a buyer will see it before they order. The same ingredients, registration number, and allergen statement that go on the package need to be in that online notice. If you are also weighing a license for selling from home, see license to sell baked goods from home.
Check your label before each sale
Run through the same short check before you sell. Confirm the label is attached, the ingredients are listed, the registration number is correct, and the allergen statement is there. If you sell online, confirm the prominent notice is still visible. Keep your label wording in one place so a new batch does not start from scratch.
If you are looking at a different kind of home bakery setup, how to get a home bakery license explains the wider licensing path. For now, keep your Arizona cottage food label attached and your online notice complete.
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Common questions
What must an Arizona cottage food label include?
A bill summary lists a list of ingredients, the food preparer's registration number, and a pertinent statement regarding allergens and other disclosure information. The state also requires specified labeling information on an attached label.
Can I handwrite the label?
Yes. The state says the attached label may be printed or handwritten, as long as the font is clear and legible.
Do I need a label if I sell online?
Yes. If the product is offered for sale online, the registered cottage food preparer must provide a prominent notification that includes all of the required labeling information.
Where does the label go?
The product must be packaged at home with an attached label. Put the label on the package the buyer receives.
Is a photo of the label enough?
The state requires an attached label on the product. A photo on your phone is not the same as a label attached to the package.
Sources
General information, not legal advice.