Cottage Food Label Requirements in Pennsylvania
What Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), Bureau of Food Safety or a local food safety professional before printing labels or selling product. View the official source. Last verified: 2026-08.
We could not confirm the exact label statement wording directly on PDA's current LFE web page (only via secondary sources) — verify current wording with the PDA Bureau of Food Safety before printing labels.
Required Label Statement
Exact wording Pennsylvania requires
“This product is homemade and is not prepared in an inspected food establishment.”
Must appear in at least 10-point font in a color that contrasts with the background. Nutrition facts are required only if you ship interstate or make a nutrient content/health claim.
Sales Cap & Registration
Annual Sales Cap
Registration & Permitting
Food Safety Course
What You Can (and Can't) Sell
Allowed
Not Allowed
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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania require a kitchen inspection for cottage food?
Yes — unlike many states, Pennsylvania requires an on-site inspection of your home kitchen by the PDA Bureau of Food Safety before you can register as a Limited Food Establishment (LFE) and legally sell.
How much does it cost to register as a Limited Food Establishment in PA?
The registration fee is $35, both for the initial application and each annual renewal, collected at the time of inspection.
What foods can I make as a Pennsylvania LFE?
Only non-hazardous, shelf-stable foods that don't need refrigeration once finished — think baked goods, honey, maple syrup, jams, and (with extra requirements) canned acidified foods and kombucha.
Is there a sales cap for Pennsylvania cottage food operations?
PDA does not publish a specific annual sales cap for Limited Food Establishments the way some other states do. Confirm current rules with the PDA Bureau of Food Safety, since this can change.