Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Cottage Food Label Requirements in Florida

What Florida legally requires on your cottage food label — the required statement, sales cap, registration rules, and what you can (and can't) sell.

No credit card required • 3 free labels/day

This is not legal advice.

Cottage food laws change frequently and vary by county or local health department. Always confirm current requirements with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) or a local food safety professional before printing labels or selling product. View the official source. Last verified: 2026-08.

Required Label Statement

Exact wording Florida requires

Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.

Must be printed word-for-word — do not paraphrase — in at least 10-point type, in a color that contrasts clearly with the label background.

Sales Cap & Registration

Annual Sales Cap

$250,000 in annual gross sales (raised from $50,000 by 2021 legislation).

Registration & Permitting

No permit, license, or inspection is required from FDACS for cottage food operations that stay under the sales cap and sell only cottage food items.

Food Safety Course

Not required by FDACS for basic cottage food operations.

What You Can (and Can't) Sell

Allowed

Breads, rolls, biscuits; cakes, pastries, cookies; candies and confections; honey; jams, jellies, and preserves; fruit pies and dried fruit; dry herbs, seasonings, and mixtures; homemade pasta; cereals, trail mixes, and granola; coated or uncoated nuts; vinegar and flavored vinegars; popcorn and popcorn balls.

Not Allowed

Potentially hazardous foods requiring refrigeration, and cottage food products cannot be sold wholesale to other businesses for resale.

Selling something that needs a full Nutrition Facts panel (like packaged prepared meals) instead of a cottage food disclosure? See our meal prep labeling guide →

Official Source

This page summarizes guidance published by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Cottage Foods.

Last verified: 2026-08

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact required statement on a Florida cottage food label?

Florida law (Section 500.80(3), Florida Statutes) requires this exact wording, unmodified: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations." It must be at least 10-point type in a contrasting color.

How much can I sell as a Florida cottage food operation?

Up to $250,000 in annual gross sales. Beyond that, you'd need to move into a licensed, inspected commercial kitchen.

Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Florida?

No — FDACS does not require a permit, license, or inspection for cottage food operations that stay under the sales cap.

Can I sell my cottage food products to a local store in Florida?

No. Florida cottage food products can be sold directly to consumers (in person, online, mail order) but cannot be sold wholesale for resale by another business.

Ready to build your Florida cottage food label?

NutriLabelPro helps you create clean, print-ready labels — you add the required statement for your state.

No credit card required • 3 free labels/day