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Cottage Food Labels

District of Columbia cottage food label requirements

Washington DC requires cottage food businesses to register with DC Health, obtain a Certified Food Protection Manager credential, and print their registration ID on the label. There is no annual sales cap; online sales are allowed and, as of 2025, wholesale sales to food establishments are permitted.

Required home-kitchen disclosure

“Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.”

This is the statement your state requires, reproduced from its official rule.

Official District of Columbia source
Annual sales cap
No cap / not specified
Permit / registration
Required
Online sales
Allowed
Retail / wholesale
Allowed

Permits & training: Requires a Cottage Food Business Registration with DC Health (approx. $50, valid 2 years), a Certified Food Protection Manager certification, and a Home Occupation Permit. Business registration ID number must be printed on the label.

What goes on a District of Columbia cottage label

  • Product name
  • Cottage food business registration/identification number
  • Ingredients list
  • Allergen declaration (identify the specific tree nut if used)
  • Net quantity/amount
  • Disclosure statement in at least 10-point type

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 District of Columbia label for free

Prefilled for District of Columbia. 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.

District of Columbia home-kitchen disclosure

This is the statement your state requires on the label. Official source ↗

Live preview

Free
Your Product Name
INGREDIENTS: List your ingredients to auto-order them by weight.
Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.
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.

District of Columbia cottage food label FAQ

What must a cottage food label include in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a cottage food label typically includes: Product name; Cottage food business registration/identification number; Ingredients list; Allergen declaration (identify the specific tree nut if used); Net quantity/amount; Disclosure statement in at least 10-point type. It must also carry the required home-kitchen disclosure shown above.
What is the required home-kitchen disclosure in District of Columbia?
“Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.” This wording is reproduced from the state's official rule.
Do I need a permit or registration to sell cottage food in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires a permit or registration for cottage food sales. Requires a Cottage Food Business Registration with DC Health (approx. $50, valid 2 years), a Certified Food Protection Manager certification, and a Home Occupation Permit. Business registration ID number must be printed on the label. Always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above.
Can I sell cottage food online in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
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 District of Columbia'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 District of Columbia's official cottage-food guidance (linked above) · Panelry