North Carolina Cottage Food
Label Requirements
Scale your North Carolina food business with no revenue cap.
Stop guessing. Generate FDA-compliant labels that automatically handle mandatory North Carolina legal disclaimers, font sizes, and privacy rules.
Regulated by: North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Artisan Sourdough
NET WT 16oz (454g)
INGREDIENTS: FLOUR (WHEAT), WATER, SALT, YEAST.
Contains: Wheat.
Required North Carolina Disclaimer:
Standard FDA labeling required.
1234 Main St, North Carolina
At a Glance: North Carolina Rules
The key constraints for your cottage food business.
Registration Cost
Free.
Annual Sales Limit
Unlimited
Where can you sell?
Typically Allowed
Usually Prohibited
Regulatory Freedom Score
Business FriendlyNorth Carolina has a High Freedom Score (10/10). Unlike stricter jurisdictions, North Carolina empowers makers with Unlimited and allows broad sales channels. However, it requires a physical home address on all public labels.
Address Privacy
Official Rule
Physical address (no website substitutes).
Your full physical home address must appear on every product label.
The "Verbatim" Trap
To sell legally in North Carolina, your label must include specific phrasing exactly as written in the statute.
*Peppery auto-inserts this text.
Home processors are inspected. Exemption from affixed label exists for direct, on-demand sales, but information must be available on request.
- State vs. Local: This guide covers North Carolina 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 North Carolina compliance.
Don't memorize this.
Our engine auto-formats your label to meet all North Carolina requirements instantly.
Auto-Generate Label"Scaling my business to the North Carolina limit meant my labeling had to be professional. Peppery ensures I don't get dinged by health inspectors as I grow."
Market Vendor in North Carolina
Verified User
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Carolina cottage food laws.
What foods can I sell from home in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina allows specific cottage foods, but only if they are non-TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) and meet strict labeling requirements. Common approvals include Breads, jams, pickles (with course certificate)., 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 North Carolina?
The cap is Unlimited annually for direct sales. However, calculating this limit can vary based on gross vs. net sales revenue definitions in North Carolina statutes. See our guide for tracking compliance.
Can I sell cottage food online in North Carolina?
Online sales regulations in North Carolina are complex. Online: Yes. Shipping: Yes. Wholesale: Yes. However, shipping across state lines is generally prohibited. Check our guide for specific delivery zone restrictions.
What are the cottage food label requirements for North Carolina?
Labels in North Carolina generally require: 1) Name of the product, 2) Producer Name and Address, 3) Ingredients listed by weight, 4) Net Quantity (Must include both Imperial (ounces/pounds) AND Metric (grams).), and 5) The mandatory disclaimer statement: 'Made in a home kitchen...'.
Can I hide my home address on labels in North Carolina?
No. Currently, North Carolina cottage food laws require the physical address of the kitchen to be listed on the label. P.O. Boxes are typically not accepted.