Last verified 2026-09-15. Regulator: Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch (formerly Sanitation Branch). This page is not legal advice.
What must a cottage food label show in Hawaii?
A Hawaii cottage food label must show these 5 items:
- A statement that reads "Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health"
- The common name of the food or, if no common name exists, an adequately descriptive identity statement
- If made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients and subingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
- Notification of the presence of major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame
- Name and contact information of the homemade food product producer
What disclaimer must a Hawaii cottage food label have?
Yes. A Hawaii cottage food label must carry this statement, word for word:
Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health
Does Hawaii require a Nutrition Facts panel on cottage food?
No. Hawaii does not require a Nutrition Facts panel on cottage food. Federal rules also exempt most small producers, unless the label makes a nutrient or health claim. If you want to add one, the Nutrition Label Maker prints it in the FDA layout for free.
What foods can you sell under the Hawaii cottage food law?
Foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety, such as jams, jellies, and baked goods without custard or cream fillings. Pickled, fermented, or acidified plant foods with a pH of 4.2 or less or a water activity below 0.88, such as pickles, kimchi, and salsa. Salsa or any product with cut tomatoes must stay at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Juice sold direct to the consumer. Not allowed: dried meats, dried seafood, melon-family fruits, vacuum packaging, and canning other than jams and jellies.
Where can you sell cottage food in Hawaii?
Direct to the consumer in person or remotely, including by telephone or the internet. Through an agent or a third-party vendor such as a permitted food establishment, so wholesale to restaurants and stores is allowed. Delivery by the producer, an agent, a third-party vendor, mail, or shipping.
Do you need a permit to sell cottage food in Hawaii?
No Department of Health food establishment permit. The operator must complete a food safety course from the Department of Health or an approved program, including ANSI-accredited courses. The home kitchen stays subject to inspection under section 11-50-8 and must have a handwashing sink with soap during food preparation.
Is there a sales limit for cottage food in Hawaii?
None. HAR Chapter 11-50 sets no gross sales limit for homemade food products.
What else should you know about the Hawaii rules?
Hawaii sets no sales cap and allows online sales, mail, and shipping. Wholesale to a permitted restaurant or store is allowed. The restaurant must disclose in writing that the item is a homemade food product, and your label must be available to its patrons on request. Some farmers markets and events require a Special Event Permit, and the Department of Health will review and sign off on the application. Products must be packaged the way they will be sold, with the label on the package. The Food Safety Branch guide lists the nine major allergens, including sesame.
How accurate is this page?
The definition, exemption, sales channels, and label items were read from the 2025 searchable compilation of HAR Chapter 11-50 on 2026-09-15. The allowed foods, training rule, and event permit notes were read from the Food Safety Branch guide “Starting a Homemade Food Operation” the same day. The rule was adopted on July 10, 2025 and takes effect ten days after filing. The filing date is not confirmed. The absence of a sales cap is based on a search of the rule text and is not confirmed by a separate agency statement.