Cottage food label requirements in New Jersey
Cottage Food Operator Permit, N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 (adopted R.2021 d.087, effective Oct 4, 2021). Regulated by New Jersey Department of Health. Checked against state sources on .
The statement your label needs
This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.
No type-size rule stated for the statement; keep it clearly legible.
What is different in New Jersey
- Food protection manager certificate required
- When selling away from a residence, display the permit and a placard with the same statement
- Orders and payment may be taken online, by phone or mail, but handoff must be in person in NJ
- No delivery by postal mail or common carrier
- Permit valid two years
- Permit
- Permit required. State permit from NJ Department of Health; $100 fee; valid two years, renewal $100 (apply 45+ days before expiry). Requires a food protection manager certificate, zoning approval and proof of water potability. No initial or periodic inspection.
- Sales cap
- $50,000 a year. Gross annual sales before taxes and expenses (N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.3(b)). A 2026 bill would raise it to $100,000; not enacted as far as found.
- Where you can sell
- Directly to consumers in New Jersey: at the operator's home (no onsite consumption), the consumer's NJ home, NJ farmers' markets or farm stands, temporary retail food establishments, or other NJ locations where lawful.
- Online orders
- Orders online or by phone, delivered in person
- Ship in state
- No
- Ship out of state
- No
- Sell to shops / cafés
- No
- Allowed foods
- Only foods that stay safe at room temperature, from the Department's Approved Food Products list.
What a New Jersey cottage food label must show
- Common name of the product
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- "Contains" followed by any major allergens
- Full personal name, business name, and CFO permit number
- Municipality of the registered residence kitchen followed by "NJ" or "New Jersey"
- The required statement (above), unchanged
Federal rules still apply on top: ingredients in descending order by weight (21 CFR 101.4), the nine major allergens declared by name (FALCPA and the FASTER Act), and net quantity in ounces and grams (21 CFR 101.7). New Jersey lets you take orders online or by phone, but the food must be handed over in person (pickup or your own delivery). Mailing or shipping is not allowed, and products may not cross state lines.
Make a New Jersey label now
The New Jersey statement is already on it. Type your ingredients, tick the allergens and print on Avery sheets or a thermal roll. To have the ingredient order and allergens worked out from a costed recipe, use the workbench.
Still missing: business name and address.
Print at 100% scale with no margins. Check the result against New Jersey’s rules above before selling.
True size. New Jersey statement.
New Jersey cottage food questions
What statement has to be on a New Jersey cottage food label?
New Jersey requires: “This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.”.
Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in New Jersey?
Permit required. State permit from NJ Department of Health; $100 fee; valid two years, renewal $100 (apply 45+ days before expiry). Requires a food protection manager certificate, zoning approval and proof of water potability. No initial or periodic inspection.
Is there a sales limit for cottage food in New Jersey?
Yes: $50,000 in gross sales a year. Gross annual sales before taxes and expenses (N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.3(b)). A 2026 bill would raise it to $100,000; not enacted as far as found.
Can I sell cottage food online or ship it in New Jersey?
New Jersey lets you take orders online or by phone, but the food must be handed over in person (pickup or your own delivery). Mailing or shipping is not allowed, and products may not cross state lines.
Sources
- NJDOH: Cottage Food Rules (N.J.A.C. 8:24-11) (regulation)
- NJDOH: Cottage Food Labeling (agency)
- NJDOH: Cottage Food (agency)
Checked October 17, 2026. This is a checklist built from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; your county or the agency has the final word. Spotted something out of date? The about page explains how we check.
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