Last verified 2026-09-12. Regulator: North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food and Drug Protection Division. This page is not legal advice.
What must a cottage food label show in North Carolina?
A North Carolina cottage food label must show these 6 items:
- Product name
- Manufacturer's name and address
- Net weight of the product in ounces or pounds, with the gram weight equivalent
- Complete list of ingredients in order of predominance by weight
- All allergens, listed in the ingredient statement or in a "Contains" statement immediately after the ingredients
- A nutrition label, only if the label makes a claim such as low fat or sugar free
What disclaimer must a North Carolina cottage food label have?
North Carolina does not set exact disclaimer wording in the sources we have. Check the sources below.
Does North Carolina require a Nutrition Facts panel on cottage food?
Only in some cases. North Carolina requires a Nutrition Facts panel when the label makes a nutrient or health claim, such as "low sugar" or "high protein". 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 North Carolina cottage food law?
Low risk foods only. Low risk means shelf stable and no need for refrigeration or freezing. NCDA&CS lists baked goods that need no refrigeration, jams, jellies and preserves, candies, dried mixes and spices, some liquids such as iced tea and lemonade, some sauces, acid and acidified foods such as pickles and BBQ sauce, and freeze dried candies. High risk foods are banned. That list includes refrigerated or frozen products, low-acid canned foods, dairy, seafood, bottled water and juice, and bakery products with cream or cream cheese fillings.
Where can you sell cottage food in North Carolina?
Direct pickup at the home, delivery to the customer, delivery to events such as weddings, farmers markets, shipping by USPS or FedEx, and wholesale to retail stores, distributors, and restaurants.
Do you need a permit to sell cottage food in North Carolina?
An inspection is required. Send the Application for Home Processor Inspection to NCDA&CS with a business plan, a water bill or a well water test, and any process authority letter. A Food Regulatory Specialist then inspects the home kitchen, usually 8 to 12 weeks later. No permit is issued. The inspector gives the processor an inspection report and a Notice of Inspection.
Is there a sales limit for cottage food in North Carolina?
No dollar cap appears in the NCDA&CS home processing program materials. Not confirmed against a statute.
What else should you know about the North Carolina rules?
North Carolina has no cottage food law. NCDA&CS treats a home processor as a food manufacturing facility under 21 CFR 117 Subpart B. An indoor pet disqualifies the kitchen. Products sold on demand straight to the consumer need no affixed label, but ingredient information must be available on request. Pickles and other acidified foods need pH or water activity testing and a process authority letter, and may need the Acidified Food Course. Check local planning or zoning rules and your HOA before you apply.
How accurate is this page?
The label items, the allowed foods, the sales channels, and the inspection steps were read from the NCDA&CS Home Processor page on 2026-09-12. The rule that adopts 21 CFR 101 food labeling was read the same day from 02 NCAC 09B .0116. Subchapter 02 NCAC 09G covers milk and dairy, not home processing. No revenue cap and no required disclaimer statement were found. Both are not confirmed against the statute.