Nebraska's labeling rules are clear and manageable. Every product needs your name, address, and the required disclaimer. TCS foods need a full ingredient list too. Here's exactly what goes on every label — and the precise disclaimer text you must use.
Nebraska's labeling requirements vary slightly depending on whether your product is shelf-stable or TCS. All sellers share the first two requirements — TCS food sellers have additional obligations. Labels do not need to be pre-approved by NDA.
This example shows a compliant TCS label for a cheesecake — the most demanding label type in Nebraska because it requires the full ingredient list in addition to all standard elements.
This exact statement must be communicated to every customer at every point of sale. It must be visible — not buried in fine print. On labels it should appear clearly on the package. At markets and events it must be posted as a sign. On your website or online shop it must appear on the product page or ordering page.
Nebraska requires you to "visibly notify" customers at every selling context. This means the disclaimer isn't just for your label — it travels with your brand wherever you sell.
Nebraska's required disclaimer already includes a general allergen notice ("may contain allergens"). But for TCS foods — which require a full ingredient list — you should also specifically identify the major allergens present in your product. This is standard food labeling practice and protects both your customers and your business.
The FDA recognizes nine major food allergens. If your product contains any of these, they should be clearly identified — either in the ingredient list (using the common name) or in a separate "Contains:" statement immediately following the ingredient list.
Recommended format: After your ingredient list, add a bold "Contains:" line naming any of the nine allergens present — e.g., "Contains: Milk, Eggs, Wheat." If your kitchen also handles other allergens not in the product, add: "Made in a home kitchen that also processes [allergen]." This protects customers with severe allergies and demonstrates care as a producer.
For TCS foods, Nebraska requires ingredients to be listed in descending order of predominance by weight — meaning the ingredient that weighs the most in the recipe goes first, and the ingredient that weighs the least goes last. This is the same standard used in commercial food labeling under FDA regulations.
Ingredient order only applies to TCS foods under Nebraska's cottage food law. Shelf-stable products (cookies, jams, spice blends, granola) are not required to include an ingredient list at all — though adding one is strongly recommended as a best practice for customer transparency and allergen awareness.
Beyond the standard name, address, and disclaimer, TCS foods have extra labeling requirements that reflect their perishable nature and the need to guide customers on safe storage and consumption.
Required on all TCS products that must be stored cold — cheesecakes, cream pies, buttercream cakes, ice cream, cheese, refrigerated pickles, fresh sauces, dairy-based beverages, and fresh juice. Must be clearly visible on the label or container.
Required on TCS foods to communicate safe consumption window. Nebraska law specifies this requirement; confirm exact wording ("Use By," "Best By," or "Expires") with NDA. [VERIFY] Refrigerated pickles and fresh sauces should use 7-day expiration dates.
For frozen products like ice cream, "Keep Frozen" is the appropriate storage instruction in place of or in addition to "Keep Refrigerated." Customers need clear guidance to prevent thawing and refreezing, which degrades quality and safety.
Nebraska specifically allows refrigerated (non-hermetically sealed) pickles with a 7-day recommended shelf life on the label. The label must also note they must be kept cold and are not shelf-stable. This differentiates them from prohibited canned/shelf-stable pickles.
Nebraska's cottage food statute does not explicitly mandate net weight labeling, but it is standard practice and strongly recommended. Most consumers expect to see quantity on a food label, and net weight helps you price your products consistently. If you do include net weight, follow these standard conventions:
| Product Type | Measurement | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid foods (baked goods, candy) | Weight | oz and g, or lb and kg | Net Wt. 8 oz (227 g) |
| Liquid / pourable products | Volume | fl oz and mL | Net 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Counted items (cookies, candies) | Count + weight | Count and net weight | 12 cookies, Net Wt. 6 oz (170 g) |
| Spice blends / dry mixes | Weight | oz and g | Net Wt. 2 oz (57 g) |
| Whole pies / cakes | Weight | lb and oz, or grams | Net Wt. 2 lb 4 oz (1.02 kg) |
SellFood's Label Creator pre-fills the required Nebraska disclaimer text, guides you through all required fields, and generates a download-ready label. No design skills required — create compliant labels in minutes.
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