Alabama Cottage Food Label Requirements
Selling homemade food in Alabama? Your package label has to carry a specific set of items — including Alabama’s required home-kitchen statement. Here’s exactly what goes on the label, and a free tool that builds it from your recipe.
The required Alabama label statement
“This product may contain allergens. This food is not inspected by the Health Department.”
This wording models the required elements; confirm the exact phrasing with your authority. ✓ Verified against the official source.
Source: Code of Alabama 1975 § 22-20-5.1(e) (amended by Act 2021-456, eff. 5/17/2021): "The label shall include in at least size 10-point font the common or usual name of the food, the name, home or P.O. Box address of the cottage food production operation, and a statement that the food is not inspected by the department or local health department... and shall include a disclaimer that the food may contain allergens." https…
What your Alabama cottage food label must include
- ✓The common or usual name of the product
- ✓Net quantity (weight or volume) — in US customary and metric
- ✓The ingredient list, in descending order by weight
- ✓An allergen “Contains” statement (FDA major allergens present)
- ✓Your name and business address
- ✓The Alabama statement: “This product may contain allergens. This food is not inspected by the Health Department.”
Generate your Alabama label free
Enter your recipe once — MakeFoodLabel builds the whole label (ingredient list, allergen “Contains” line, net weight, and the Alabama home-kitchen statement) plus the FDA nutrition table if you need it. Free with a watermark; $29 once to remove it, unlimited labels.
Make my Alabama label →Common questions
What must a cottage food label include in Alabama?
A Alabama cottage food label generally needs the product name, net weight, the full ingredient list in descending order by weight, an allergen statement, your business name and address, and the statement “This product may contain allergens. This food is not inspected by the Health Department.”. Rules can vary by food type and sales channel — confirm with your state authority.
Do I need a Nutrition Facts panel to sell cottage food in Alabama?
Usually not, unless you make a nutrient claim (like “low sugar”) or exceed your state’s cottage food limits. Many sellers add one anyway because stores and customers ask for it. MakeFoodLabel generates the FDA panel from your recipe if you need it.
Where does the “not inspected / home kitchen” wording come from?
From Alabama’s cottage food law — Code of Alabama 1975 § 22-20-5.1(e) (amended by Act 2021-456, eff. 5/17/2021): "The label shall include in at least size 10-point font the common or usual name of the food, the name, home or P.O. Box address of the cottage food production operation, and a statement that the food is not inspected by the department or local health department... and shall include a disclaimer that the food may contain allergens." https…. Cottage food law changes often, so verify the current wording with your authority before printing.
This page is an estimation aid, not legal advice. Cottage food rules vary by state and change often; whether you need a nutrition panel, the exact disclaimer wording, sales limits and permitted foods all depend on your situation. Confirm current requirements with the Alabama authority before selling.