North Dakota Cottage Food Label Requirements

The required label statement

This product is made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department.

Exact sentence (NDCC 23-09.5-02(8)). The operator may EITHER place it on a label on the product OR display it on a consumer advisory sign at the point of sale; no type size, font or placement rule is given. ND HHS publishes a printable consumer advisory notice with the same wording.

What must be on your label

• The statement "This product is made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department." — on a label on the product OR on a consumer advisory sign at the point of sale (NDCC 23-09.5-02(8))
• No other labelling may be required by the state or a political subdivision for cottage foods sold under this chapter — informed-end-consumer rule (NDCC 23-09.5-02(1))
• The operator must inform the end consumer that the product is not certified, labeled, licensed, packaged, regulated or inspected (NDCC 23-09.5-02(5))
• Products that require refrigeration (e.g. baked goods containing cream, custard, meringue, cheesecake, pumpkin pie, cream cheese): label with safe handling instructions and a product disclosure statement indicating the product was transported and maintained frozen (NDCC 23-09.5-02(7))

Example: a North Dakota label for a bag of butter cookies

An illustrative worksheet with the lines North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.

North Dakota cottage food label questions

Does a North Dakota cottage food label need a home-kitchen statement?

Yes. The label must say "This product is made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department.". Exact sentence (NDCC 23-09.5-02(8)). The operator may EITHER place it on a label on the product OR display it on a consumer advisory sign at the point of sale; no type size, font or placement rule is given. ND HHS publishes a printable consumer advisory notice with the same wording.

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

No. None. No licence, permit, registration, certification or inspection may be required (NDCC 23-09.5-02(1)); ND HHS confirms sales without licence or inspection fees. HHS or a local authority may investigate on an illness or environmental-health complaint (23-09.5-02(9); NDAC 33-33-10-04).

Is there a sales limit for North Dakota cottage food?

No annual cap is set: none — NDCC ch. 23-09.5 contains no annual sales cap (full chapter read).

Where can I sell cottage food in North Dakota?

Directly between the cottage food operator and the informed end consumer, for home consumption only: at a farm, ranch, farmers market, farm stand, home-based kitchen or any venue not otherwise prohibited, or through delivery (23-09.5-02(2)). Since SB 2386 (signed Mar 20–21, 2025, emergency measure) the former bans on interstate commerce and on internet, phone, mail and consignment transactions are repealed; interstate sale of poultry products remains prohibited, and uninspected meat products may not be sold. Products may not be sold to or used in food establishments, food processing plants or food stores (23-09.5-02(3)–(4)).

Does a North Dakota 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.