Updated for 2025

Texas Cottage Food
Label Requirements

Maximize your $150,000 allowance in Texas without legal headaches.

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

Regulated by: Texas Department of State Health Services

TX COMPLIANT

Artisan Sourdough

NET WT 16oz (454g)

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

Contains: Wheat.

Required Texas Disclaimer:

"THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING..."

+ 1 conditional statements

My Bakery Name
REG NO: 12345-AB

At a Glance: Texas Rules

The key constraints for your cottage food business.

Registration Cost

Free.

Annual Sales Limit

$150,000 (Effective Sept 1, 2025, indexed for inflation)

Where can you sell?

Online: Yes (Pickup/delivery only)
Shipping: No
Wholesale: Restricted (only to registered Cottage Food Vendors)

Typically Allowed

Baked goods acidified canned goods (Pickles/Salsa) fermented vegetables cheesecakes (TCS with registration).

Usually Prohibited

Meat jerky poultry seafood raw milk low-acid canning.
10 / 10

Regulatory Freedom Score

Business Friendly

Texas has a High Freedom Score (10/10). Unlike stricter jurisdictions, Texas empowers makers with $150,000 (Effective Sept 1, 2025, indexed for inflation) and allows broad sales channels. Notably, it is a privacy-friendly state allowing the use of ID numbers on labels.

Address Privacy

Official Rule

Physical address OR Unique identification number (DSHS).

You can use a Registration ID instead of your home address on labels.

The "Verbatim" Trap

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

[Standard]

"THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION."

[Conditional: If the food requires temperature control (TCS).]

"SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep this food refrigerated or frozen until the food is prepared for consumption."

*Peppery auto-inserts this text.

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

Business Name Legal operator name required.
Product Name Common name required.
Ingredients Descending by weight
Allergens Explicit listing of major food allergens present.
Font Size Federal Standard (1/16 inch) minimum height.
Net Quantity Must be listed in both Imperial (oz) and Metric (g) units.
Traceability Unique batch number required for pickled, fermented, or acidified canned goods.

Don't memorize this.

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

Auto-Generate Label
Why Makers Choose Us

"I was hesitant to start selling in Texas because I didn't know the rules about home addresses. Peppery's privacy toggle helped me navigate it and use my ID number instead."

TX

Cottage Baker in Texas

Verified User

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Texas cottage food laws.

What foods can I sell from home in Texas?

Yes, Texas 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, acidified canned goods (Pickles/Salsa), fermented vegetables, cheesecakes (TCS with registration)., 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 Texas?

The cap is $150,000 (Effective Sept 1, 2025, indexed for inflation) annually for direct sales. However, calculating this limit can vary based on gross vs. net sales revenue definitions in Texas statutes. See our guide for tracking compliance.

Can I sell cottage food online in Texas?

Online sales regulations in Texas are complex. Online: Yes (Pickup/delivery only). Shipping: No. Wholesale: Restricted (only to registered Cottage Food Vendors). However, shipping across state lines is generally prohibited. Check our guide for specific delivery zone restrictions.

What are the cottage food label requirements for Texas?

Labels in Texas 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 WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION.'.

Can I hide my home address on labels in Texas?

Yes. Texas laws currently allow the use of a Registration Number or ID in lieu of a physical address to protect producer privacy.