Wisconsin's labeling rules differ by product track — baked goods technically have no mandated label, while the Pickle Bill has specific requirements. Here's everything recommended and required, including the exact disclaimer statement to use.
Because Wisconsin's cottage food framework is built on court rulings and a canning statute rather than a single law, labeling requirements vary depending on which track your products fall under. The distinction matters — but our recommendation is the same regardless: label everything well.
The Kivirist judicial exemption is a court ruling — not a statute — and imposes no formal labeling requirement. You can legally sell a loaf of bread with no label at all. However, the Wisconsin Farmers Union and DATCP both strongly recommend following the label guidelines below. Any future legislation will almost certainly mandate labeling, and good labels build customer trust and protect you if a question arises about ingredients or allergens.
Wis. Stat. § 97.29 specifically requires that a sign be displayed at the point of sale stating that the canned goods are homemade and not subject to state inspection. For packaged products, a label with the same information is the standard practice. The label elements listed below are the industry standard for Pickle Bill compliance.
Label now, before it's required. Assembly Bill 897 — which did not pass in 2024 — would have mandated labels with allergen information including sesame for all cottage food sellers. The legislative pressure for labeling requirements is real. Getting your labels right now costs nothing and protects your customers and your business from day one.
These are the label fields recommended by the Wisconsin Farmers Union, DATCP, and consistent with best practices for cottage food sellers across the country. Follow all of these and your label will meet any reasonable future statutory requirement.
Use one of these disclaimer statements on your label or at your point of sale. Exact wording matters — use it verbatim or as close as possible.
This sign must be displayed at the point of sale wherever you sell canned goods under the Pickle Bill. It can appear as a table sign, a card, a banner, or on individual product labels. For packaged products, including the statement on the label itself is the most practical approach.
One label, both statements. If you sell both baked goods and canned goods, you can use a single label template that includes the baked goods disclaimer statement — it satisfies the spirit of both. Or keep it simple: use the longer recommended statement ("made in a private home not subject to state licensing or inspection") for everything. It's accurate for both product tracks and works at any sales venue.
Here's a sample label incorporating all recommended elements. Use this as a reference when building your own. Tagging shows which elements are recommended vs. required for canned goods.
Federal law (FALCPA — the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act) requires the nine major allergens to be clearly identified on packaged food labels. While Wisconsin's cottage food sellers are not currently required to follow FDA labeling law (since the Kivirist exemption is not a statute), disclosing allergens is a critical consumer safety practice — and will almost certainly become legally required if cottage food is ever codified.
Cross-contact warning (optional but important): If your kitchen also processes products with nuts, gluten, or other allergens, consider adding a "May contain traces of: [allergen]" or "Produced in a facility that also processes [allergen]" statement. This is voluntary but protects customers with severe allergies and limits your liability exposure.
Federal law (the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act) requires a net quantity statement on packaged food. Here's how to format it correctly.
State weight in avoirdupois ounces and grams (or pounds and ounces for larger items). Both imperial and metric are required for products over 1 pound.
Net Wt 6 oz (170g)State volume in fluid ounces and milliliters. For products over 1 liter, use liter measurement.
Net 12 fl oz (355mL)The net quantity statement must appear in the lower 30% of the principal display panel — the main face of the label the customer sees first. It should be easy to find and read.
Lower 30% of front panelThe net quantity must be in a type size that is "reasonably related" to the space of the principal display panel. For most cottage food packages, a minimum of 1/8" (3mm) type height is practical guidance.
Minimum: ~8–10pt fontWisconsin's cottage food framework (judicial exemption + Pickle Bill) does not specify a minimum font size for label text. Federal FPLA guidelines apply for net quantity statements — practically, this means your label text should be legible to a person with normal vision at arm's length.
Industry standard practice: use at least 6–8pt type for ingredient and allergen text, and at least 8–10pt for product name and net weight. Larger is always better — it reduces misreading and builds trust.
If you transition to a licensed food establishment, DATCP and federal FDA label requirements will specify exact minimum type sizes based on the principal display panel area.
Build compliant Wisconsin cottage food labels in minutes. The Wisconsin disclaimer statement is pre-filled, allergen fields are built in, and you can download print-ready files directly. Free with any SellFood account.
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