Tennessee Cottage Food Label Requirements

The required label statement

This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.

The two-sentence statement must be given exactly as written in T.C.A. § 53-1-118(b)(4)(D) (Public Chapter 862 § 3). No type size, case, contrast or placement rule. It goes on a label affixed to the package (packaged items), on the bulk container, on a point-of-sale placard (unpackaged), or on the web page (internet-only sales) (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(A)); for telephone or custom orders the seller may instead disclose orally that the item is produced at a private residence exempt from state licensing and inspection and may contain allergens, keeping the other information available on request (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(B)).

What must be on your label

• The name, home address, and telephone number of the producer of the homemade food item (T.C.A. § 53-1-118(b)(4)(A), as renumbered by Public Chapter 431)
• The common or usual name of the homemade food item (§ 53-1-118(b)(4)(B))
• The ingredients of the homemade food item in descending order of predominance (§ 53-1-118(b)(4)(C))
• The statement "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens." (§ 53-1-118(b)(4)(D))
• Format: on a label affixed to the package if packaged; on a label affixed to the bulk container; on a placard at the point of sale if neither; or on the webpage if sold only on the internet (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(A))
• Telephone or custom orders: oral disclosure of the private-residence/allergen statement is enough, with the name/address/phone, product name and ingredients readily available on request (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(B))

Example: a Tennessee label for a bag of butter cookies

An illustrative worksheet with the lines Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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.

Tennessee cottage food label questions

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

Yes. The label must say "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.". The two-sentence statement must be given exactly as written in T.C.A. § 53-1-118(b)(4)(D) (Public Chapter 862 § 3). No type size, case, contrast or placement rule. It goes on a label affixed to the package (packaged items), on the bulk container, on a point-of-sale placard (unpackaged), or on the web page (internet-only sales) (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(A)); for telephone or custom orders the seller may instead disclose orally that the item is produced at a private residence exempt from state licensing and inspection and may contain allergens, keeping the other information available on request (§ 53-1-118(b)(5)(B)).

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

No. None. Production and sale of homemade food items are exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging and labeling laws except when the Department of Health investigates a reported foodborne illness (T.C.A. § 53-1-118(a)); TDA issues no permits or licenses and does not inspect. Counties and municipalities are preempted from prohibiting or regulating these sales (§ 53-1-118(d)). Tax law still applies (§ 53-1-118(c)(4)).

Is there a sales limit for Tennessee cottage food?

No annual cap is set: none — no cap in T.C.A. § 53-1-118 (argument from silence; the TDA page mentions none).

Where can I sell cottage food in Tennessee?

Non-TCS homemade foods: sold by the producer to the consumer in person or remotely (telephone, internet) or by an agent or third-party vendor such as a retail shop or grocery store, and delivered by the producer, an agent, a third-party vendor or a third-party carrier (§ 53-1-118(b)(1)–(2)). TCS homemade foods (allowed since July 1, 2025): sold only in person by the producer or an agent (e.g. a farm stand on the property); may not include unpasteurized milk, alcohol, fish, shellfish, meat or meat products; poultry only under the federal 9 CFR 381.10(c)/(d) exemptions (§ 53-1-118(b)(3), Public Chapter 431 § 4). Intrastate sales within Tennessee only (§ 53-1-118(c)(5)). Items must be produced and, if packaged, packaged at the producer's private residence (§ 53-1-102 definition).

Does a Tennessee 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.