Idaho requires a specific disclaimer and your contact information on every cottage food product. Here's exactly what must appear — plus best practices that make your labels professional and trustworthy.
Under Idaho's cottage food rules (IDAPA 16.02.19 and Idaho Code § 39-1608), every product you sell must include specific information either on a label attached to the packaging or on a clearly visible placard at the point of sale. Idaho's requirements are minimal compared to many states — but they are mandatory.
The name and contact information of your cottage food operation. This can include your business name (or personal name), address, phone number, or email — enough for the consumer to reach you.
A statement informing the consumer that the food was made in an uninspected home kitchen and may contain allergens. The exact wording is specified — see the disclaimer block below.
The common name of the product (e.g., "Blueberry Jam," "Chocolate Chip Cookies"). This tells consumers exactly what they're buying and is a basic labeling best practice.
A list of all ingredients in descending order of predominance (most to least). While not explicitly required by Idaho cottage food rules, this is strongly recommended for consumer transparency and allergen awareness.
The weight or volume of the product (e.g., "8 oz," "12 cookies"). This helps consumers compare value and is standard practice for packaged food products.
A clear statement identifying any of the nine major allergens present in the product. The required disclaimer already mentions that the food "may contain allergens," but listing specific allergens present is a smart business practice.
A "made on" or "best by" date gives customers confidence in freshness. Especially useful for baked goods and jams.
This is the required disclaimer text that must appear on your product label or on a clearly visible placard at your sales location. Use it exactly as written.
This statement must be clearly legible — meaning it should be easy to read at a normal viewing distance. Idaho does not specify a minimum font size, but as a practical matter, use at least 8pt type on printed labels so it's readable without squinting.
You have two options for displaying this disclaimer. You can print it directly on the product's packaging label — which is the best approach for products you sell online, by mail order, or at markets where customers take products home. Or you can display it on a clearly visible placard (sign or poster) at your sales booth or counter — which works well for farmers market stands where you're selling face-to-face.
Best practice: Put it on both — a label on every package and a sign at your booth. The label protects you once the product leaves your hands, and the sign gives your display a professional, transparent look.
The FDA recognizes nine major food allergens. While Idaho's cottage food rules don't explicitly require allergen declarations beyond the general "may contain allergens" disclaimer, listing specific allergens present in your product is a smart business practice that builds consumer trust and protects your customers.
The clearest approach is to add a "Contains" statement after your ingredients list. For example: Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Milk. If your kitchen handles allergens that aren't in a specific product, you can add a cross-contact warning: "Made in a kitchen that also processes tree nuts and peanuts." These practices follow FDA allergen labeling guidance and show your customers you take their safety seriously.
While Idaho's cottage food rules don't explicitly mandate net weight on labels, it's strongly recommended — and expected by consumers. If you sell at farmers markets or online, customers want to know what they're getting.
Use either U.S. customary measurements (ounces, pounds) or include both U.S. and metric. For baked goods sold by count (e.g., a bag of 6 cookies), stating the count is sufficient. For jams, honeys, granola, and other products sold by weight or volume, state the net contents (e.g., "Net Wt. 8 oz / 227g").
Invest in a basic kitchen scale if you don't already have one — it ensures consistency across batches and gives you accurate weights for every label.
Here's what a complete, well-designed Idaho cottage food label might look like, including all required and recommended elements.
Label or placard? The sample above shows a product label. If you're selling at a farmers market and prefer a placard instead, create a professional sign with the disclaimer and your contact info, and display it prominently at your booth. Many sellers do both — labels on packages plus a booth sign.
Idaho does not specify minimum font sizes or formatting rules for cottage food labels beyond the requirement that information must be "clearly legible." Here are practical guidelines that will keep your labels professional and readable.
Use at least 8pt type for the disclaimer and fine print. Product name and your business name should be larger — 12pt or above — to stand out. If your label is small (e.g., on a 4oz jam jar), consider a fold-out or wrap-around label to fit all required and recommended elements.
Dark text on a light background is the easiest to read. Avoid putting important text on busy patterns or photos. The disclaimer in particular should be in high contrast — it's the legally required element, so it should be unmissable.
You don't need expensive equipment to start. Many cottage food sellers begin with printed adhesive labels from services like Avery, Canva + a home printer, or online print shops like VistaPrint or Sticker Mule. As your volume grows, investing in a thermal label printer can save time and money per label.
Idaho does not require you to submit your labels for government review or approval before using them. There is no label pre-approval process. Just make sure your labels include the two required elements (contact information and the home kitchen disclaimer) and you're compliant.
Create compliant Idaho cottage food labels with the required disclaimer pre-filled. Add your product info, pick a template, and print.
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