New Jersey Department of Health, Public Health and Food Protection Program

Cottage Food Label Requirements in New Jersey

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

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This is not legal advice.

Cottage food laws change frequently and vary by county or local health department. Always confirm current requirements with New Jersey Department of Health, Public Health and Food Protection Program 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 New Jersey requires

“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.”

N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.4 does not set a minimum font size for the disclosure statement itself, only that it be conspicuous — unlike states such as Washington or Michigan that specify a point size. Labels must also include the product's common name, ingredients in descending order by weight, an allergen "Contains" statement where applicable, the operator/business name and Cottage Food Operator Permit number, and your municipality plus "NJ" or "New Jersey." If you sell somewhere other than your home (e.g., a farmers market), you must display your permit and a placard carrying the same disclosure statement.

Sales Cap & Registration

Annual Sales Cap

$50,000 in annual gross sales.

Registration & Permitting

A Cottage Food Operator Permit from the NJ Department of Health is required: $100 for the initial application and $100 to renew (renew at least 45 days before your permit expires; permits last 2 years). Before applying, you must confirm with your local zoning board that a home-based cottage food business is allowed at your address. No routine kitchen inspection is required, though the Department retains the right to investigate for compliance. Products can only be made in the operator's own home kitchen and sold directly to consumers within New Jersey — cottage food may not be shipped to a customer, sold to a retail store, or sold wholesale.

Food Safety Course

Yes — applicants must hold a food protection manager certificate from an accredited program before applying, a higher bar than the basic food handler cards some other states accept.

What You Can (and Can't) Sell

Allowed

Baked goods (breads, rolls, cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies); candy (brittle, toffee, bark, caramels, marshmallows, fudge); chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruit; dried fruit; dried herbs and seasonings; dried pasta; dry baking mixes; fruit jams, jellies, and preserves; fruit pies, empanadas, and tamales (except pumpkin); granola, cereal, and trail mix; processed honey and sweet sorghum syrup; nuts, nut mixtures, and nut butters; popcorn and caramel corn; roasted coffee and dried tea; vinegar and mustard; and waffle cones and pizzelles.

Not Allowed

Anything made with cream, sour cream, custard, pudding, vegan custard, cheese, or cream cheese; meat or fish; fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, peppers, or fresh fruit; pumpkin, sweet potato, yams, or carrots; heat-treated plant foods, mushrooms, tofu, or soy protein foods; alcohol, CBD, or THC; and home-grown or foraged plants, herbs, vegetables, or fruit. Frostings like meringue, buttercream, whipped cream, and ganache are also prohibited.

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 New Jersey Department of Health – Cottage Food Operator's Permit.

Last verified: 2026-08

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact required label statement in New Jersey?

Your label must say: "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." The regulation requires it to be conspicuous but doesn't set a specific point size.

How much can I earn as a New Jersey cottage food operator?

Up to $50,000 in annual gross sales. New Jersey only legalized home-based food sales in October 2021 — before that it was the last state in the country to ban selling homemade food outright.

Do I need a food safety certification to sell cottage food in New Jersey?

Yes. Unlike many states that only require a basic food handler card, New Jersey requires a food protection manager certificate from an accredited program before you can even apply for your Cottage Food Operator Permit.

Can I ship my New Jersey cottage food products or sell them in stores?

No. Cottage Food Operators may only sell directly to consumers within New Jersey — no shipping to a customer's home, no out-of-state sales, and no selling to retail or wholesale establishments.

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