Updated for 2025

New Jersey Cottage Food
Label Requirements

Maximize your $50,000 allowance in New Jersey without legal headaches.

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

Regulated by: New Jersey Department of Health

NJ COMPLIANT

Artisan Sourdough

NET WT 16oz (454g)

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

Contains: Wheat.

Required New Jersey Disclaimer:

"This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected..."

My Bakery Name
1234 Main St, New Jersey

At a Glance: New Jersey Rules

The key constraints for your cottage food business.

Registration Cost

$100 (Plus cost of Manager Certification).

Annual Sales Limit

$50,000

Where can you sell?

Online: Yes (pickup must be in-person)
Shipping: No
Wholesale: No

Typically Allowed

Baked goods (bread/cookies) fudge granola fruit jams dried pasta.

Usually Prohibited

Cheesecake pickles/acidified foods meat jerky pet treats savory vegetable pies.
4.5 / 10

Regulatory Freedom Score

Restrictive

New Jersey has a Moderate Freedom Score (4.5/10). It strikes a balance with $50,000, though some restrictions apply. However, it requires a physical home address on all public labels.

Address Privacy

Official Rule

Municipality and State.

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

The "Verbatim" Trap

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

[Standard]

"This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health."

*Peppery auto-inserts this text.

Legal Disclaimer & Scope
  • State vs. Local: This guide covers New Jersey 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 New Jersey compliance.

Business Name Legal operator name and business name (if different).
Product Name Common name.
Ingredients Descending by weight
Allergens FALCPA. Must start with 'Contains:' if present.
Font Size Federal Standard (1/16 inch) minimum height.
Net Quantity Must be listed in both Imperial (oz) and Metric (g) units.

Don't memorize this.

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

Auto-Generate Label
Why Makers Choose Us

"The New Jersey labeling laws are incredibly confusing regarding font sizes. Peppery's auto-formatting saved me hours of reading statutes."

NJ

Home Baker in New Jersey

Verified User

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Jersey cottage food laws.

What foods can I sell from home in New Jersey?

Yes, New Jersey 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 (bread/cookies), fudge, granola, fruit jams, dried pasta., 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 New Jersey?

The cap is $50,000 annually for direct sales. However, calculating this limit can vary based on gross vs. net sales revenue definitions in New Jersey statutes. See our guide for tracking compliance.

Can I sell cottage food online in New Jersey?

Online sales regulations in New Jersey are complex. Online: Yes (pickup must be in-person). Shipping: No. 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 New Jersey?

Labels in New Jersey 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 prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.'.

Can I hide my home address on labels in New Jersey?

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