Every product you sell as a South Carolina home food seller needs a compliant label. Here's every required element — including the exact state disclaimer text you must use — plus tips for designing labels that sell.
South Carolina law requires specific information on every product sold under the Home-Based Food Production Law — for any seller with over $1,500 in annual gross sales. The label must be on the product before it leaves your kitchen. Here is every required element.
This sample label shows all required elements. Circled numbers correspond to the requirements list on the left.
South Carolina law specifies the exact text that must appear on every product label sold under the Home-Based Food Production Law. Copy this text exactly — word for word, in all caps, in high-contrast color. Do not paraphrase it.
Critical formatting rules: The statement must be printed in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS and in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background — dark text on a light label, or light text on a dark label. The 2022 amendment to SC Bill S 506 added "NOT FOR RESALE —" to the beginning of this statement. Earlier versions of this text without that prefix are no longer fully compliant. If you have existing labels using the older version, update them.
⚠️ The "NOT FOR RESALE" prefix matters. Some older SC cottage food resources show only the second half of the statement — "PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS." The 2022 update added "NOT FOR RESALE —" to the front. Always use the complete, current version shown above.
💡 Where to place the disclaimer: It must appear on the product label in a conspicuous location — visible to the buyer without opening the packaging. The back or bottom panel is acceptable as long as it's clearly visible. The key requirements are ALL CAPS and high-contrast color. Font size is not explicitly specified in the statute, but it must be legible.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires disclosure of the 9 major allergens recognized by the FDA. South Carolina's HBFPL specifically requires an allergen statement on all labels. Sesame was added as the 9th major allergen in January 2023.
🐟 Fish and shellfish: For these two allergens, you must name the specific species on the label — "Contains: salmon (fish)" or "Contains: shrimp (shellfish)" — not just the category. This is a federal requirement under FALCPA.
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) governs net quantity declarations. South Carolina's HBFPL requires label compliance with federal laws — which includes proper net weight formatting. Here's what you need to know.
Express net weight in both ounces (oz) and grams (g). If over 1 lb, express in pounds and ounces with grams as secondary. Place in the lower 30% of the principal display panel.
Express net contents in fluid ounces (fl oz) and milliliters (mL). If over 1 pint, also express in pints and quarts. Syrups, sauces, oils, and drinking vinegars are measured as liquids.
⚖️ Weigh your products accurately. Net weight declarations must reflect the actual contents — not a rounded estimate. Use a kitchen scale calibrated in both ounces and grams. SCDA may question products that appear to understate net weight. Consistent batch weight also helps you price reliably and maintain product consistency.
Compliance and good design are not in conflict. These practical tips help you meet every requirement while creating labels that catch a buyer's eye at the farmers market or on a retail shelf.
Inkjet-printed labels on matte paper work fine for farmers markets and direct sales. For retail store placement, consider professionally printed labels from Canva Print, Moo, or a local print shop — they hold up better to handling and look more polished on a shelf.
Put your brand name, product name, and net weight on the front (principal display panel). Put the ingredient list, allergens, your address/SCDA ID, and the state disclaimer on the back information panel. This creates a clean front and a compliant back without crowding.
The state disclaimer must be in ALL CAPS and in a color that contrasts clearly with its background. Dark brown or black text on cream works well. Red text on white, or white text on dark background also works. Avoid light gray on white or amber on cream — these fail the contrast test.
If your products will be sold at outdoor markets or could be refrigerated by buyers, use waterproof label stock or a clear laminate overlay. Ink-jet printed paper labels dissolve when wet, making your product look unprofessional and potentially obscuring required text.
Not legally required for most cottage food products, but a "Best By" or "Best Before" date builds trust with buyers, helps you manage inventory rotation, and demonstrates professionalism. Place it in a consistent location so buyers know where to look.
Keep editable source files (Canva, Adobe, Word) for every label. When a recipe changes, an ingredient supplier changes, or you update your SCDA ID, you need to update your label quickly. Always reprint and restock — selling with outdated labels is a compliance risk.
Build a fully compliant South Carolina cottage food label in minutes. The state disclaimer, allergen template, and dual-unit net weight fields are pre-filled. Export as print-ready PDF or PNG, sized for standard label stock.
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