Updated for 2025

Alabama Cottage Food
Label Requirements

Scale your Alabama food business with no revenue cap.

Stop guessing. Generate FDA-compliant labels that automatically handle mandatory Alabama legal disclaimers, font sizes, and privacy rules.

Regulated by: Alabama Department of Public Health

AL COMPLIANT

Artisan Sourdough

NET WT 16oz (454g)

INGREDIENTS: FLOUR (WHEAT), WATER, SALT, YEAST.

Contains: Wheat.

Required Alabama Disclaimer:

"This food is not inspected by the department or local health department."

My Bakery Name
1234 Main St, Alabama

At a Glance: Alabama Rules

The key constraints for your cottage food business.

Registration Cost

No state fee (County fees vary; Course costs apply).

Annual Sales Limit

Unlimited

Where can you sell?

Online: Yes
Shipping: Yes
Wholesale: No

Typically Allowed

Baked goods jams dried herbs candies Acidified Foods (Pickles/Salsa if pH < 4.2 or Aw < 0.88).

Usually Prohibited

Meat Jerky Perishable Baked Goods (Cheesecakes).
9.5 / 10

Regulatory Freedom Score

Business Friendly

Alabama has a High Freedom Score (9.5/10). Unlike stricter jurisdictions, Alabama empowers makers with Unlimited and allows broad sales channels. However, it requires a physical home address on all public labels.

Address Privacy

Official Rule

Home or P.O. Box allowed

Your full physical home address must appear on every product label.

The "Verbatim" Trap

To sell legally in Alabama, your label must include specific phrasing exactly as written in the statute.

[Standard]

"This food is not inspected by the department or local health department."

*Peppery auto-inserts this text.

Legal Disclaimer & Scope
  • State vs. Local: This guide covers Alabama state-level regulations only. Your local county or municipality may have stricter zoning, business licensing, or health ordinances.
  • Tool Nature: Peppery is an automated compliance tool, not a law firm. This page provides information, not legal advice.
  • Verification: Regulations change. Always verify specific labeling requirements with your local health authority before printing or selling.

Technical Checklist

Every requirement for Alabama compliance.

Business Name Legal operator name required.
Product Name Common name required.
Ingredients Descending by weight (including sub-ingredients)
Allergens General disclaimer required ('This food may contain allergens').
Font Size 10pt minimum height.
Net Quantity Must be listed in both Imperial (oz) and Metric (g) units.
Contrast High contrast required (e.g., Black text on White background).

Don't memorize this.

Our engine auto-formats your label to meet all Alabama requirements instantly.

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Why Makers Choose Us

"Scaling my business to the Alabama limit meant my labeling had to be professional. Peppery ensures I don't get dinged by health inspectors as I grow."

AL

Market Vendor in Alabama

Verified User

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alabama cottage food laws.

What foods can I sell from home in Alabama?

Yes, Alabama allows specific cottage foods, but only if they are non-TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) and meet strict labeling requirements. Common approvals include Baked goods, jams, dried herbs, candies, Acidified Foods (Pickles/Salsa, if pH < 4.2 or Aw < 0.88)., but specific pH testing may be required for acidified foods. Use our free analysis tool to verify your recipe's compliance.

What is the sales limit for cottage food in Alabama?

The cap is Unlimited annually for direct sales. However, calculating this limit can vary based on gross vs. net sales revenue definitions in Alabama statutes. See our guide for tracking compliance.

Can I sell cottage food online in Alabama?

Online sales regulations in Alabama are complex. Online: Yes. Shipping: Yes. Wholesale: No. However, shipping across state lines is generally prohibited. Check our guide for specific delivery zone restrictions.

What are the cottage food label requirements for Alabama?

Labels in Alabama generally require: 1) Name of the product, 2) Producer Name and Address, 3) Ingredients listed by weight, 4) Net Quantity (Dual Units), and 5) The mandatory disclaimer statement: 'This food is not inspected by the department or local health department.'.

Can I hide my home address on labels in Alabama?

No. Currently, Alabama cottage food laws require the physical address of the kitchen to be listed on the label. P.O. Boxes are typically not accepted.