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California Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
California Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
Cottage Food Production Operations must label all of their food products properly,
which include the following information on
the label of each unit of food product offered or distributed for
sale.
Labels on cottage food products must contain the following
information. See sample label at right. For more information about
other cottage
food requirements in California, click here.
- The words "Made (or Repackaged) in a Home
Kitchen" must appear on the principal display panel in 12-point
type.
- The registration or permit number
of the "Class A" or "Class B" CFO and the name of the local enforcement
agency that issued the permit number
- Product name: The common or
descriptive name of the cottage food product located on the principal
display panel.
- The name, city, and zip code of the CFO. Note: If the CFO is not
listed in a current telephone directory, then a physical address must
also be included on the label.
- Ingredients: If the cottage food
product contains two or more ingredients, list the ingredients of the
product, in descending order by predominance of weight.
- The net quantity (count, weight, or
volume) of the food product, stated in both English (pound) units and
metric units (grams).
- Allergen information: If the food
product contains any of the major food allergens (milk, eggs, fish,
shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans), it must be stated
on the label in plain language. There are two approved methods
prescribed by federal law for declaring the food sources of allergens in
packaged foods: 1) Have a separate summary statement immediately
following or adjacent to the ingredient list; or 2) Have the allergen
listed within the ingredient list.
- Sulfites: Keep in mind that
anaphylactic shock can occur in certain sulfite-sensitive individuals
upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. If such an amount of
sulfites are added (most commonly for dried fruits), they must be
declared with the statement: Contains added sulfites.
- Nutrient content claims involve the use of any of the
following eleven terms: free, low, reduced, fewer, high, less, more,
lean, extra lean, good source, and light. If such claims are made, they
must comply with the Food and Drug Administration's conditions for the
use of these terms. (For details, refer to 21 CFR Sections 101.13 and
101.54 et seq.) For example: the term "sodium free" means that the food
contains less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving.
- Healthj claims: A
health claim is a statement or message on the label that describes the
relationship between a food component and a disease or health-related
condition (e.g., sodium and hypertension, calcium and osteoporosis). If
a health claim is made, it must conform to the federal requirements
established in 21 CFR 101.14 and 101.70 et seq.
- Nutrition
Facts panels are generally not required for Cottage Foods producers. If the food label
makes any nutrient content or health claims, then nutrition information
must be declared in a "Nutrition Facts" statement, as specified by the
Food and Drug Administration: Nutrition Facts Label Programs &
Materials.
- Language: Labels must be legible and in English. It is
optional to have accurately
translated information in another language, such as Spanish, but you
still must have it in English.
Free Label Resources
Here is a free
Microsoft Word label template which you can download and edit.
These labels are already formatted to fit on Avery Template 22820
Print-to-the-Edge Oval, Labels 2" x 3-1/3", 8 per Sheet, Glossy White.
You can get the label stock online (see at right).
More resources:
Los Angeles County and Other counties have good resources:
Questions? Contact Information:
PO Box 997377
MS 0500
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
For
General Public Information:
(916) 558-1784