Arizona Cottage Food Label Requirements

The required label statement

This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.

Exact sentence, in quotation marks in A.R.S. §36-932(A)(3) — print it verbatim. The whole label must be "attached" to the package "in a clear and legible printed or handwritten font" (§36-932(A)); no point size, colour or panel is fixed. Products offered online must show the same statement in a "prominent notification" (§36-932(B)).

What must be on your label

• Name of the food preparer (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(1))
• Registration number of the food preparer (ADHS cottage-food registry) (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(1))
• All ingredients in the cottage food product (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(2))
• The product's production date (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(2))
• The statement "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection." (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(3))
• If the product was made in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, a disclosure of that fact (A.R.S. §36-932(A)(4))
• The sentence "To obtain additional information about cottage foods or to report a foodborne illness, go to azdhs.gov/Cottagefood" — the website address A.R.S. §36-932(A)(5) requires, fixed by rule R9-8-101.02(C)(3)(e)
• Label must be clear and legible, printed or handwritten, attached to the package; products packaged at home (A.R.S. §36-932(A))
• Online sales: a prominent notification with the preparer's name and registration number, ingredients, production date, the statement and the ADHS website address (A.R.S. §36-932(B))
• Third-party vendor sales: separate section/display case and a sign that the products are homemade and exempt from state licensing and inspection (A.R.S. §36-932(E)(4))
• No state requirement for the producer's address, net quantity or a product name — federal labeling rules may still apply

Example: an Arizona label for a bag of butter cookies

An illustrative worksheet with the lines Arizona requires, and placeholders for your own details. It is not an approved product label or a tested recipe. Replace the ingredients and the measured package quantity with your actual product information.

The example ingredient order follows the input weights in our butter-cookie recipe. It does not establish the weight of a finished bag. Any additions or supplier sub-ingredients must be reflected in your own label. The statement's size on this web page is not a print-size check; compare the printed label with the rule above.

Before you print

1. Match every ingredient and sub-ingredient to your actual recipe and supplier labels.
2. Check the allergen declaration, the filled package's net quantity, and producer details.
3. Include the Arizona statement and check its size on the final printed label.
4. Review the whole package, including any required information placed outside the Nutrition Facts panel.

Arizona cottage food label questions

Does an Arizona cottage food label need a home-kitchen statement?

Yes. The label must say "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.". Exact sentence, in quotation marks in A.R.S. §36-932(A)(3) — print it verbatim. The whole label must be "attached" to the package "in a clear and legible printed or handwritten font" (§36-932(A)); no point size, colour or panel is fixed. Products offered online must show the same statement in a "prominent notification" (§36-932(B)).

Do I need a license or registration to sell cottage food in Arizona?

Yes. Register in the ADHS online cottage food registry before selling (A.R.S. §36-932(C); §36-136(I)(13)); the preparer or direct supervisor must hold an active food handler certificate from an accredited program; display the certificate of registration when operating as a temporary food establishment. ADHS rule R9-8-101.02 (Feb 2025) is reported to require renewal every 3 years and notification of changes within 30 days; registration fee not stated in the statute — ADHS program page could not be fetched, so fee/renewal details are unverified. Rule R9-8-101.02(A)(5): registration renewed every three years; no fee is stated in the rule.

Is there a sales limit for Arizona cottage food?

No annual cap is set: none stated — A.R.S. §36-932(D)(1) lets a preparer sell "to the maximum extent allowed by federal law"; no dollar cap appears in art. 2 (argument from silence).

Where can I sell cottage food in Arizona?

Products without dairy, meat or poultry: sold by the preparer or an agent (including a third-party vendor) and delivered by the preparer, agent, vendor or a third-party carrier. Dairy or meat/poultry products: sold by the preparer in person or remotely (internet OK, but not via third-party food delivery platforms) and delivered in person. Potentially hazardous products: kept at temperature, transported once, ≤2 hours. Not usable as an ingredient at a permitted retail establishment; no marijuana. Statute states no Arizona-only limit; federal law governs interstate sales (A.R.S. §36-932(D)-(F)).

Does an Arizona cottage food label need a date?

Yes. Arizona prints the production date on every package, so the label changes with each batch.

Does an Arizona cottage food label need a Nutrition Facts panel?

Not by state cottage-food law unless a nutrient content or health claim is made; the federal small-business exemption usually applies. If you choose to print a panel, it has to be complete and correctly formatted.