Updated for 2025

Pennsylvania Cottage Food
Label Requirements

Scale your Pennsylvania food business with no revenue cap.

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

Regulated by: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)

PA COMPLIANT

Artisan Sourdough

NET WT 16oz (454g)

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

Contains: Wheat.

Required Pennsylvania Disclaimer:

"This product is homemade and is not prepared in an inspected food establishment."

My Bakery Name
1234 Main St, Pennsylvania

At a Glance: Pennsylvania Rules

The key constraints for your cottage food business.

Registration Cost

$35 Annually.

Annual Sales Limit

Unlimited

Where can you sell?

Online: Yes
Shipping: Yes (Interstate commerce allowed)
Wholesale: Yes

Typically Allowed

Breads muffins Acidified Foods/Pickles (Requires lab testing) Meat Jerky (Conditional requires testing).

Usually Prohibited

Perishable Baked Goods/Cheesecakes.
10 / 10

Regulatory Freedom Score

Business Friendly

Pennsylvania has a High Freedom Score (10/10). Unlike stricter jurisdictions, Pennsylvania 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.

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

The "Verbatim" Trap

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

[Standard]

"This product is homemade and is not prepared in an inspected food establishment."

*Peppery auto-inserts this text.

State Constraints

Unpackaged bakery items sold directly may not require a label if info is available on request. Pets are strictly prohibited in the prep area.

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

Business Name Legal operator name required.
Product Name Common name required.
Ingredients Descending by predominance
Allergens FALCPA.
Font Size Federal Standard (1/16 inch) 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 Pennsylvania requirements instantly.

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Why Makers Choose Us

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

PA

Market Vendor in Pennsylvania

Verified User

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pennsylvania cottage food laws.

What foods can I sell from home in Pennsylvania?

Yes, Pennsylvania 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, muffins, Acidified Foods/Pickles (Requires lab testing), Meat Jerky (Conditional, requires testing)., 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 Pennsylvania?

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

Can I sell cottage food online in Pennsylvania?

Online sales regulations in Pennsylvania are complex. Online: Yes. Shipping: Yes (Interstate commerce allowed). 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 Pennsylvania?

Labels in Pennsylvania 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 product is homemade and is not prepared in an inspected food establishment.'.

Can I hide my home address on labels in Pennsylvania?

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