Tennessee Cottage Food Label Requirements
Selling homemade food in Tennessee? Your package label has to carry a specific set of items — including Tennessee’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 Tennessee label statement
“This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”
This exact wording is prescribed by law. ✓ Verified against the official source.
Source: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB0130.pdf — T.C.A. § 53-1-118(b)(3)(E), as enacted by HB 130 / SB 484 (114th Tenn. Gen. Assembly, 2025), SECTION 2; effective July 1, 2025 (SECTION 3). Official TN General Assembly enrolled bill. official text ↗
What your Tennessee 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 Tennessee statement: “This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”
Generate your Tennessee label free
Enter your recipe once — MakeFoodLabel builds the whole label (ingredient list, allergen “Contains” line, net weight, and the Tennessee 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 Tennessee label →Common questions
What must a cottage food label include in Tennessee?
A Tennessee 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 was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”. 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee’s cottage food law — https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB0130.pdf — T.C.A. § 53-1-118(b)(3)(E), as enacted by HB 130 / SB 484 (114th Tenn. Gen. Assembly, 2025), SECTION 2; effective July 1, 2025 (SECTION 3). Official TN General Assembly enrolled bill.. 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 Tennessee authority before selling.