No Required Cottage Food Disclaimer in North Carolina
Unlike many states that require a "Made in a home kitchen not subject to state food safety inspection" disclaimer, North Carolina does not mandate this language for Home Processor Program products. NC home processors do undergo a kitchen inspection before approval — so the disclaimer would be factually inaccurate anyway. There is no required state disclaimer statement as of this guide's research date. [VERIFY with NCDA&CS] that no disclaimer has been added under updated program guidance before producing final labels.
When Labels Are — and Aren't — Required
North Carolina's labeling rules include a meaningful exception for directly hand-sold products. Understanding exactly when a label is and isn't required will help you set up your farmers market and direct sales operations efficiently.
- Products individually packaged for self-service sale (customers pick up without your assistance)
- Products sold wholesale to retail stores, distributors, or restaurants
- Products shipped via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or any postal/courier service
- Products placed on a shelf, in a display case, or in any setting where the buyer selects them without seller interaction
- Products sold at retail stores, gift shops, or any location where you are not present at the point of sale
- Products sold on-demand directly to the consumer — picking up orders from your home, delivering finished products to the customer in person
- Delivering products to special events (weddings, birthday parties, catered occasions)
- Selling at farmers markets where you hand the product directly to the consumer from behind the counter
⚠ Important exception to the exception: Even when a label is not required, ingredient information must be available upon request by the consumer. Have a printed ingredient sheet or be ready to verbally provide this information.
What Every Label Must Include
NCDA&CS requires exactly four elements on every label for products that need one. All four are required — there are no optional elements in this list.
123 Maple Lane
Asheville, NC 28801
Sample label for illustration only. Your actual label design may vary.
Product Name
The common or usual name of the food product. Be specific and accurate — "Blueberry Jam" not just "Jam." The product name should accurately describe what's in the package.
Manufacturer's Name & Physical Address
Your full name (or business name) and complete physical address. A P.O. Box, website URL, email address, or phone number alone is not acceptable as a substitute for a physical address. The physical street address is required.
Not acceptable: sarahssouthernsweets.com or P.O. Box 456
NCDA&CS offers an optional identifier number for sellers who want address privacy on labels — contact NCDA&CS to ask about this option. [VERIFY current availability]
Net Weight (Dual Declaration)
The quantity of product in the package. North Carolina follows federal dual-declaration rules: you must state both the avoirdupois measurement (ounces/pounds for solids; fluid ounces for liquids) and the metric equivalent (grams or milliliters).
8 oz (226 g) or 1 lb (454 g)Liquid:
12 fl oz (355 mL)Not acceptable: "8 ounces" alone or "226 g" alone
Complete Ingredient List
Every ingredient listed in descending order by weight — the ingredient used in the greatest amount appears first, continuing down to the smallest. Single-source ingredients use their common name (e.g., "eggs," "salt"). Compound ingredients (ingredients made of multiple components) must list all subcomponents in parentheses.
Tip: Copy the ingredient statement from your ingredient supplier's packaging to ensure accuracy and completeness.
The Big 9 Allergens
All allergens must be disclosed on your label — either within the ingredient list itself using common names, or in a "Contains:" statement placed immediately after the ingredient list. Both methods are acceptable under NCDA&CS guidance. North Carolina follows the federal Big 9 allergen framework.
How to List Allergens Correctly
Tree nuts and fish require the specific type, not just the category. Write "almonds" not "tree nuts"; write "salmon" not "fish." The "Contains:" statement format looks like: Contains: Milk, Eggs, Almonds. This statement must appear directly after the ingredient list, not buried in the middle of the label. If your product contains no major allergens, you do not need a "Contains:" statement — but it's good practice to include "Contains: None" to proactively reassure customers.
Ingredient List Formatting Rules
The ingredient list is where most labeling errors occur. NCDA&CS inspectors review labels during the home inspection — errors here can delay your approval or require relabeling after you've already printed stock.
Common Ingredient List Mistakes — and How to Fix Them
✅ Correct — Compound Ingredient
Butter (cream [milk], salt)
When an ingredient is itself made of multiple components, list all subcomponents in parentheses immediately after the ingredient name. "Butter" alone is not sufficient.
❌ Wrong — Missing Subcomponents
Butter
Listing "Butter" without its components fails to disclose the milk allergen and doesn't meet ingredient transparency requirements.
✅ Correct — Order by Weight
Sugar, wheat flour, butter (cream [milk], salt), eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract
Listed largest to smallest by weight. If sugar is the most-used ingredient, it appears first.
❌ Wrong — Alphabetical or Arbitrary Order
Baking powder, butter, eggs, flour, sugar, vanilla
Alphabetical order does not satisfy the "descending by weight" requirement and can mislead consumers about the product's primary ingredients.
✅ Correct — Common Names Used
Eggs, salt, black pepper
Single-source ingredients use their common name. "Eggs" not "whole hen eggs." "Salt" not "sodium chloride."
✅ Correct — Spice Blends
Spices (paprika, garlic, cumin, black pepper)
Multiple spices can be grouped under "Spices" with individual spices listed in parentheses. Alternatively, list each spice individually.
Dual Declaration Requirements
Federal labeling law (and North Carolina's program) requires both a US customary unit and a metric equivalent on every label. Use this table as a quick reference for common package sizes.
| Product Type | US Unit | Metric | Label Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jam / jelly jar (half-pint) | 8 oz | 226 g | 8 oz (226 g) |
| Jam / jelly jar (pint) | 1 lb | 454 g | 1 lb (454 g) |
| Cookies (dozen) | Varies — weigh your product | Varies | 12 oz (340 g) (example) |
| Spice blend (small jar) | 2 oz | 57 g | 2 oz (57 g) |
| Baking mix (pouch) | 12 oz | 340 g | 12 oz (340 g) |
| Bottled sauce / liquid | 12 fl oz | 355 mL | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Hot sauce (small bottle) | 5 fl oz | 148 mL | 5 fl oz (148 mL) |
Always Weigh — Don't Estimate
Net weight must reflect the actual weight of product in the package — not the container weight. Weigh a sample of your filled, sealed packages and use that measurement. If your product is sold in varying fill levels (hand-packed cookies, for example), weigh multiple packages and use the minimum or average. Accurate weights protect you from consumer complaints and inspection issues.
When a Nutrition Facts Panel Is Required
Nutrition Facts Are NOT Required for Most Home Processor Products
North Carolina's Home Processor Program does not require a Nutrition Facts panel. Most home food sellers are exempt from this FDA requirement under the small business nutrition labeling exemption (businesses under $10M in annual food sales with fewer than 100 full-time employees are typically exempt). However, if you make any nutrient claim on your label — "low fat," "high fiber," "sugar free," "made with whole grains," "keto-friendly," etc. — a Nutrition Facts panel becomes required for that product. Avoid nutrient claims unless you've had your product professionally analyzed and you're prepared to add a compliant Nutrition Facts panel.
Create Compliant NC Labels with SellFood's Label Creator
SellFood's built-in Label Creator lets you design professional food labels with all required North Carolina elements pre-structured. Enter your product name, ingredients, weight, and address — and download a print-ready label in minutes. No design experience needed.
Open Label Creator →Label Compliance Checker
Upload a draft label image and get an instant review against North Carolina's Home Processor Program requirements — flagging any missing or incorrect elements before you print.
Create Free Account to Use This Tool →