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Cottage Food Labels

Alabama cottage food label requirements

Alabama allows cottage food sales after local health department approval and food safety training. Ala. Code 22-20-5.1 prescribes label elements (a non-inspection statement plus an allergen disclaimer) rather than one fixed sentence; direct sales only (no retail/wholesale), with online and in-state shipping permitted.

Required home-kitchen disclosure

“This food is not inspected by the Department of Public Health. This product may contain allergens.”

This is a conservative disclosure based on your state's rule. Confirm the exact wording with your state before printing.

Official Alabama source
Annual sales cap
No cap / not specified
Permit / registration
Required
Online sales
Allowed
Retail / wholesale
Direct only

Permits & training: Must be approved by the local county health department before selling; proof of an accredited food safety/food handler training course (e.g., ACES or Learn2Serve), a sample label, and a product list are typically required.

What goes on a Alabama cottage label

  • Common/usual name of the food
  • Name of the individual or business
  • Physical address or P.O. box of the cottage food operation
  • Ingredient list in descending order of predominance (including sub-ingredients)
  • Non-inspection statement (min. 10-point font)
  • Allergen disclaimer

Scaling past cottage food?

Selling into retail or wholesale, shipping across state lines, or making a claim like “low sugar” usually means your product needs a full FDA Nutrition Facts panel, not just a cottage label. Panelry builds one from your recipe with exact FDA rounding for $9, no subscription.

Build an FDA nutrition label →

Make your Alabama label for free

Prefilled for Alabama. Add your product and ingredients, and export a compliant label in minutes.

Auto-ordered by weight

Tip: use parentheses for sub-ingredients, like “Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Cocoa, Cocoa Butter)”.

Auto-detected from your ingredients. Tap to add or remove. Always double-check.

Alabama home-kitchen disclosure

This is a conservative disclosure based on your state's rule. Confirm the exact wording with your state before selling. Official source ↗

Live preview

Free
Your Product Name
INGREDIENTS: List your ingredients to auto-order them by weight.
This food is not inspected by the Department of Public Health. This product may contain allergens.
Made free with Panelry · getpanelry.com

Add product name, business name, business address, at least one ingredient, net weight to export a complete label.

Verify before selling

Cottage-food rules vary by state and change often. Confirm your label against your state's current requirements. Panelry is not legal advice.

Alabama cottage food label FAQ

What must a cottage food label include in Alabama?
In Alabama, a cottage food label typically includes: Common/usual name of the food; Name of the individual or business; Physical address or P.O. box of the cottage food operation; Ingredient list in descending order of predominance (including sub-ingredients); Non-inspection statement (min. 10-point font); Allergen disclaimer. It must also carry the required home-kitchen disclosure shown above.
What is the required home-kitchen disclosure in Alabama?
“This food is not inspected by the Department of Public Health. This product may contain allergens.” This is a conservative reading of the state's rule. Confirm the exact wording with the official source before printing.
Do I need a permit or registration to sell cottage food in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama requires a permit or registration for cottage food sales. Must be approved by the local county health department before selling; proof of an accredited food safety/food handler training course (e.g., ACES or Learn2Serve), a sample label, and a product list are typically required. Always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above.
Can I sell cottage food online in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama allows cottage food to be sold online. Check the official source for current rules on delivery and shipping.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Alabama?
Alabama does not specify a general annual sales cap for cottage food. Confirm with the official source.
Do I need a Nutrition Facts panel for cottage food in Alabama?
Usually not for direct cottage-food sales. Most sellers only need the ingredient, allergen, net-weight, and disclosure label this page's free tool makes. You generally do need an FDA Nutrition Facts panel once you sell into retail or wholesale, ship across state lines, or make a nutrient claim like “low sugar.”

Cottage food labels in other states

Verify before selling

Cottage-food rules change often. Confirm Alabama's current requirements with the official source above before printing or selling. Panelry is not affiliated with any government agency and does not provide legal advice. See our disclaimer.

Last verified July 2026 against Alabama's official cottage-food guidance (linked above) · Panelry