Louisiana Cottage Food Label Requirements

The required label statement

This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.

R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(a) requires the preparer to affix to any food offered for sale "a label which clearly indicates that the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility" but prescribes no exact sentence, type size, contrast or placement. The wording here is a plain rendering that reuses the statute's own words; any clear equivalent satisfies the law. Exception: raw honey that is not pasteurized, filtered or otherwise processed in a way that removes its natural pollen needs no such label (R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(b)).

What must be on your label

• A label that clearly indicates that the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility (R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(a)) — the only label item in the statute
• Exception: raw honey that is not pasteurized, filtered or otherwise processed so as to remove its natural pollen is exempt from the label (R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(b))
• No product name, ingredient list, net quantity, producer name/address, phone or date is listed in R.S. 40:4.9 (not stated in official sources); federal packaged-food rules may still apply

Example: a Louisiana label for a bag of butter cookies

An illustrative worksheet with the lines Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.

Louisiana cottage food label questions

Does a Louisiana cottage food label need a home-kitchen statement?

Yes. The label must say "This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.". R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(a) requires the preparer to affix to any food offered for sale "a label which clearly indicates that the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility" but prescribes no exact sentence, type size, contrast or placement. The wording here is a plain rendering that reuses the statute's own words; any clear equivalent satisfies the law. Exception: raw honey that is not pasteurized, filtered or otherwise processed in a way that removes its natural pollen needs no such label (R.S. 40:4.9(D)(1)(b)).

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

No. No permit, registration or inspection by the Louisiana Department of Health for low-risk foods prepared in the home for sale (R.S. 40:4.9(A)). The preparer must be registered to collect local sales and use taxes and hold a current sales tax certificate from the parish collector where sales occur (R.S. 40:4.9(D)(2)). Preparers of breads, cakes, cookies and pies must meet the sanitation conditions in R.S. 40:4.9(A)(2) and may not employ anyone to help make the food (40:4.9(A)(1)(b)).

Is there a sales limit for Louisiana cottage food?

Yes: $100,000 gross annual sales from August 1, 2026 (Act 801 of 2026, HB 403, amending R.S. 40:4.9(B); $30,000 before that date). A preparer whose gross annual sales reach the cap loses the exemption..

Where can I sell cottage food in Louisiana?

Direct sales by the home preparer. Home-prepared breads, cakes, cookies and pies may not be sold to retail businesses or to individuals for resale (R.S. 40:4.9(C)). The statute does not address online sales, shipping or out-of-state sales (not stated in official sources).

Does a Louisiana 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.