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Georgia Cottage Food Label Requirements

Cottage Food Operation (license abolished by HB 398, eff. July 1, 2025; O.C.G.A. §26-2-473)

Registration

Not required

HB 398 removed the state license and pre-licensing inspections; optional GDA Identification Number registration; GDA still investigates complaints/outbreaks.

Annual sales limit

none

Where you can sell

Direct to consumers including online and mail order; sales to retail establishments (grocery, convenience, restaurants) now allowed; cities/counties may opt out of third-party-vendor sales by ordinance; interstate sales not covered.

The required label statement

This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.

At least 10-point font (O.C.G.A. §26-2-473, HB 398). TRANSITIONAL: the old GDA rule (40-7-19-.09) prescribed a different all-caps sentence in Times New Roman/Arial ≥10pt ("MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS."); GDA is using enforcement discretion pending rule rewrite. Print the new statutory statement; the old sentence is a conservative optional extra line.

What must be on your label

  • Business name, address, and telephone number of the operator — OR a GDA-issued Identification Number in lieu of the address (privacy option, requested in writing)
  • The 10-point statement; allowed on package label, bulk-container label, point-of-sale placard, or the sales webpage depending on how the item is sold
  • Best practice per the old rule (still enforced pre-amendment) for prepackaged items: common product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight or volume, FDA allergen labeling, nutrition info if a claim is made
  • Third-party vendor sales (grocery etc.): item in a separate, conspicuously labeled section; store posts signage that cottage foods are not subject to commercial food regulations or inspection

Worth knowing

  • Georgia changed dramatically 2025-07-01 (HB 398): license abolished, retail sales opened.
  • Rules 40-7-19 had not been re-issued at verification time — watch agr.georgia.gov/news/legal-notices.
  • New statement text extracted from the legislature-hosted bill document and corroborated by GDA's FAQ + Legislative Counsel summary — high confidence, not absolute; re-verify when GDA republishes rules.
  • Local opt-outs can bar grocery/restaurant sales in some jurisdictions.

Verified against official Georgia sources on 2026-08-31. Official source. This page is not legal advice — confirm requirements with your state.

Create a label with the Georgia statement included