Missouri Cottage Food Label Requirements

The required label statement

This food is not inspected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or a local health department.

RSMo § 196.298.4 requires "a statement that the food is not inspected by the department or local health department" but prescribes no exact sentence; DHSS guidance phrases it as a statement that the product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The wording above satisfies both. No type size, colour or placement rule; DHSS requires the label to be legible to the consumer.

What must be on your label

• Full name and address of the cottage food production operation (RSMo § 196.298.4; DHSS Home-Based Kitchen Food Production Guidance)
• A statement that the food is not inspected by the department or local health department (RSMo § 196.298.4) — wording not fixed
• Common name of the food (DHSS guidance)
• Name of all ingredients in the food in order of weight, descending (DHSS guidance)
• Net weight of the food (DHSS guidance)
• List of any allergens in the food (DHSS guidance)
• Label must be legible to the consumer (DHSS guidance)

Example: a Missouri label for a bag of butter cookies

An illustrative worksheet with the lines Missouri 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 Missouri 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.

Missouri cottage food label questions

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

Yes. The label must say "This food is not inspected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or a local health department.". RSMo § 196.298.4 requires "a statement that the food is not inspected by the department or local health department" but prescribes no exact sentence; DHSS guidance phrases it as a statement that the product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The wording above satisfies both. No type size, colour or placement rule; DHSS requires the label to be legible to the consumer.

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

No. No permit, licence, registration or fee: a cottage food production operation is not a food service establishment and is not subject to state or local health/food-code regulation beyond § 196.298 (RSMo § 196.298.2–3). No routine inspection; DHSS and local public health agencies may still investigate foodborne illness. Food must be sold by the person who prepared it or a knowledgeable household member (DHSS guidance).

Is there a sales limit for Missouri cottage food?

No annual cap is set: none — the former $50,000 annual gross income cap was removed by HB 1697 effective Aug 28, 2022 (RSMo § 196.298 history; DHSS guidance "Updates to the Missouri Cottage Law").

Where can I sell cottage food in Missouri?

Direct to consumers only (from the home or in person); wholesale removes the exemption. Internet sales allowed only when both the operation and the purchaser are located in Missouri (RSMo § 196.298.5). No sales across state lines (DHSS guidance).

Does a Missouri 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.