Tennessee Cottage Foods: Labeling Your Food Product (updated for 2024)

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Tennessee Cottage Foods: Labeling Your Food Product (updated for 2024)

Tennessee Cottage Food Labeling Your Food Product (updated for 2024)

The labeling requirements change as a result of the 2022 updates to the cottage food law.

Date of the enactment of the first Tennessee cottage food law: January, 2007

The law was updated, effective June 17, 2017,  and then again 2022, see this PB1909 fact sheet.

 

Labeling requirements

All food items packaged in a domestic kitchen must be properly labeled prior to sale. All homemade food products sold under the cottage food laws must include the following information as directed in the FFA: at a minimum, must be present on all food items (see Figure):

• The producer’s name, home street address, city, state and ZIP code of the name
• Producer’s phone number
• An accurate statement of the net amount of food in the package in English and Metric units (e.g. ounces and grams)
• The common or usual name of the food.
• The ingredients in the food in order of predominance by weight.
• UPDATE for 2022: It appears Lot Number has been replaced by user's name, address and phone number: Lot dates or numbers shall be evident on each package or container of food for traceability purposes in the event an issue occurs that may require a market withdrawal of the food.
• NEW in 2022: The following statement: “This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”
• NEW in 2022: The information required must be provided in the following forms/formats depending on packaging and sale:
  •  On a label attached to the product packaging. Any product that is packaged, regardless of the method of sale, must include the above information on the packaging label.
  •  On a label attached to the bulk container if the product is being sold out of a bulk container.
  • On a placard or sign displayed at the point of sale if the product is not packaged or sold from a bulk container.
  • On the website where the product is sold if the item is sold on the internet.
  • If packaged, the product’s package must also include the required label information.
    • If the product is sold by telephone or custom order, the seller does not need to display the information required above, but the seller has to disclose to the consumer that the product is produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection, and may contain allergens.
    • If packaged, the product’s package must also include the required label information.  

 

A current distribution list including quantities sold may also be of assistance should an incident occur. All labeling shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 21, Part 101. The FDA Food Labeling Guide is a good resource to consult to assure you have properly labeled your product.

Special attention should be paid with respect to clear labeling of the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish. The licensed facility may apply for a Small Business Nutritional Labeling Exemption , if applicable.

Here is a free Microsoft Word label template which you can download and edit.  These labels are already formatted to fit on Avery Template 22820  Print-to-the-Edge Oval, Labels 2" x 3-1/3", 8 per Sheet, Glossy White. You can get the label stock online (see at right). 

More resources:

• UT Extension: Getting Started in a Food Manufacturing Business in Tennessee.
• UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture - 
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center 
• 2009 Food Code - 
• State of Tennessee Public Chapter No. 862, Senate Bill No. 693, By Niceley, Bowling, Crowe
• Click here for more information about the original 2012 Tennessee cottage food laws
• Nashville Health Department Food Protection Services
• Changes to the Domestic Kitchen Laws Regulating Tennessee's Cottage Food Industry
• Getting Started in a Food Manufacturing Business in Tennessee

Questions? Contact Information:

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Consumer and Industry Services,

Food Safety Section Ellington Agricultural Center

436 Hogan Road Nashville, TN 37220

Phone: 615-837-5193

Email: NewFood.Business@TN.gov

Website: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture