Every required label element, the exact disclaimer wording for both tiers, allergen rules, batch code formats, and the 2025 QR code update — everything you need to label compliant homestead food products.
New Hampshire law (RSA 143-A:12, IV) specifies exactly what must appear on every homestead food product label. These requirements apply to both unlicensed and licensed operators. The only difference between tiers is the disclaimer statement wording.
The name of the homestead food operation — this can be your legal name or your business trade name if you've registered it. Must appear on every package.
Your home address or a valid email address. As of 2025 (HB 304), you may list either — you are no longer required to use your physical home address if you prefer email privacy. Phone number also required.
A working phone number for the homestead food operation. Can be a personal cell phone.
The common or usual name of the product — for example, "Chocolate Chip Cookies," "Strawberry Jam," or "Spicy Garlic Pickle." Must be clearly visible.
All ingredients listed in descending order by weight — heaviest ingredient first. If you use a prepared item (e.g., soy sauce), you must list its sub-ingredients too: "soy sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt)" rather than just "soy sauce." You do not need a lab to determine this — use your recipe.
All 9 major allergens must be disclosed. See the allergen section below for full details on how to format this correctly. "Contains: Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy" is an acceptable format.
The exact wording differs between unlicensed and licensed operators — see the disclaimer section below. Must be in a minimum of 10-point font.
A code that identifies the product with a specific batch. For unlicensed operators, this can be as simple as a "baked on" date. Licensed operators have more detailed requirements — see the batch code section below.
Unlicensed homestead operators are not required to list the net weight on their labels. Licensed (Class H) operators must include net weight. If you choose to include it voluntarily, follow standard USDA weight labeling conventions.
You don't need printed labels to comply. Handwritten labels are fully acceptable in New Hampshire as long as they are clearly legible, written with durable permanent ink, and large enough to read. A neatly written label meets the same legal standard as a printed one.
Only the disclaimer has a specific minimum — 10-point font. All other elements must simply be "clearly legible."
DHHS provides a sample label in their homestead food FAQ document. Use it as a reference when designing your own labels.
Homestead Food FAQ (PDF) →This is the most important label element unique to New Hampshire homestead food sellers. The exact wording depends on whether you're licensed or unlicensed. Both versions must appear in a minimum of 10-point font.
"This product is exempt from New Hampshire licensing and inspection."
"This product is made in a residential kitchen licensed by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services."
Federal law (FALCPA and the 2023 FASTER Act) requires disclosure of all 9 major food allergens. This applies to homestead food products in New Hampshire. Sesame was added as the 9th major allergen in January 2023 — make sure your labels are current.
Contains: Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy
— or —
Contains: Tree Nuts (Walnuts, Pecans)
— or —
Allergens: Contains Wheat and Sesame.
Made in a kitchen that also
processes Peanuts and Tree Nuts.
• List all allergens present
in the finished product
• If the allergen name is
already in the ingredient
name, you may not need
a separate Contains line
(e.g., "peanut butter"
already implies peanuts)
• Cross-contact warnings
("made in a kitchen that
also processes...") are
voluntary but strongly
recommended
• Sesame (added 2023) must
be disclosed just like the
original 8 allergens
Every homestead food product must include a product code that identifies it with a specific batch or production run. This enables traceability — if there's ever a food safety concern, the batch code allows you and DHHS to identify exactly which products are affected.
The requirements differ slightly between the unlicensed and licensed tiers. For unlicensed operators, New Hampshire law explicitly states that the batch code "can be a 'baked on' date" — making it simple and flexible. For licensed (Class H) operators, the code must include more detail: the date of manufacture, the container size, and the product lot or batch number.
You don't need to use a complex coding system. A simple, consistent format that you can decode later is all that's required. Choose a format and apply it consistently to every product you make.
Baked: 04/10/2026
A "baked on" or "packaged on" date is sufficient for unlicensed operators. The law explicitly accepts this format.
Lot: 2026-04-10-8oz-001
Licensed operators must include the manufacture date, container size, and a lot/batch number. This example: date 2026-04-10, 8oz container, batch 001 of that day.
Made: April 10, 2026 · Batch 1
A more readable format that satisfies both tiers — includes the date and a batch identifier. Append container size for licensed compliance: "8oz".
HB 304, effective July 2025, expanded the option to use QR codes or website links for ingredient information. The rules depend on where you sell — not your tier.
If you sell exclusively from your home (direct pickup) or your own farm stand, you may use a QR code or website URL on your label in place of the full printed ingredient list. The QR code or website must link to the complete ingredient list, organized by weight. All other label elements — including allergens, name, address, disclaimer — must still appear on the physical label.
When selling at farmers markets, retail food stores, online, or by mail order, the full ingredient list must appear on the physical label — a QR code alone is not sufficient. At point-of-sale venues where customers handle products without the seller present, complete on-label information is required.
The safest approach is to include both a complete printed ingredient list and a QR code linking to a digital version. This satisfies every sales context, works for both tiers, and gives customers the option to see full ingredient details on a larger screen — useful for complex or specialty products.
Here's what a complete, compliant label looks like for an unlicensed New Hampshire homestead food operation. This example is for a batch of chocolate chip cookies — one of the most common homestead food products in the state.
Notice that the disclaimer uses the unlicensed wording, net weight is omitted (not required for unlicensed), and the batch code is simply the "baked on" date. All other required elements are present.
This label could be handwritten on a paper label, printed from a home printer, or professionally printed — all are legally equivalent in New Hampshire as long as the text is clearly legible and written with permanent ink.
SellFood's Label Creator pre-fills the required New Hampshire disclaimer and guides you through every required field.
Build professional, compliant food labels with the correct New Hampshire disclaimer pre-filled for your tier — unlicensed or Class H licensed. Download as PNG, share, or print directly from your browser.
Open Label Creator →Create compliant labels, list your New Hampshire homestead foods, and reach buyers across the Granite State — all from one platform.
Create Your Free Store → Open Label Creator