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How to label honey to sell

Pure honey has the shortest ingredient list in cottage food, one word, but sellers still get the net weight line wrong: honey is declared by weight, not volume, so a “12 oz” honey bear means 12 ounces on a scale, not 12 fluid ounces.

What honey labels get wrong

  • Net contents for honey are declared by weight. A honey bear labeled “12 oz” holds 12 ounces on a scale, which is closer to 8 fluid ounces by volume because honey is denser than water.
  • Pure honey lists exactly one ingredient: “Honey.” An infused honey (lavender, hot pepper, vanilla bean) must add each ingredient in descending order by weight.
  • Many states regulate honey under separate honey or apiary rules instead of, or on top of, cottage food law. Verify which registration applies to you before selling.
  • Some states require an infant warning under their own honey rules; there is no federal mandate, but many sellers add “Do not feed to infants under 1 year” as a voluntary advisory either way.

Serving size

Honey uses a 21 g RACC, 1 tbsp. See the RACC lookup for how the FDA sets serving sizes.

Make your honey label

The free cottage label maker builds the ingredient statement (auto-ordered by weight), detects the Big-9 allergens, including the ones hiding in sub-ingredients, and adds your state's required home-kitchen disclosure. Scaling into retail? The nutrition label maker computes the FDA panel from the same recipe for $9.

Free cottage label FDA Nutrition Facts panel ($9)

Honey labeling FAQ

Do I need a nutrition label to sell honey?
Usually not at cottage scale when you make no nutrient claims. A jar needs the one-word ingredient list, net weight declared by weight, your business name and address, and whatever home-producer disclosure your state requires. Putting a nutrient claim on the jar or selling into stores typically brings the full Nutrition Facts panel with it.
Do I need a cottage food license to sell honey?
It depends on your state. Many states handle honey under separate honey or apiary provisions, some exempt small beekeepers entirely, and others fold honey into the cottage program. Verify with your state agriculture department before your first sale.

More product labeling guides

Verify before selling

Product rules vary by state (especially for honey) and change over time. Confirm with your state's program and official sources. Panelry is not affiliated with any government agency and does not provide legal advice. See our disclaimer.