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Last checked October 7, 2026 · Source: official District of Columbia page

District of Columbia Cottage Food Label Requirements (2026)

Selling homemade food in District of Columbia? Your label needs one exact statement, plus a few standard items. Here is the wording, word for word, and what else to check before you print.

Required statement · District of Columbia · copy it exactly

Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to the District of Columbia's food safety regulations.

District of Columbia specifics: 10-point type, contrasting colour. Add your cottage food business ID number.

Confirm on the official source before printing: dchealth.dc.gov

Everything else your District of Columbia label needs

  1. Product name: the common name ("Sourdough Bread", "Strawberry Jam").
  2. Your name and address, or a permit/registration number where District of Columbia allows it (see the notes above).
  3. Ingredients, in order of weight, heaviest first. Include sub-ingredients of anything store-bought (chocolate chips, sprinkles).
  4. Allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, sesame. "Butter" alone isn't enough: say "milk".
  5. Net weight, in ounces and grams, where required.
  6. The District of Columbia statement above, word for word.
District of Columbia cottage food label statement, word for word
The District of Columbia statement as it appears in our 50-state label series.

Common label mistakes

  1. Rewording the statement. "Made in a home kitchen" is not the same as District of Columbia's exact sentence. Copy it.
  2. Hidden allergens. Butter = milk, flour = wheat. List the allergen name.
  3. Forgetting store-bought sub-ingredients. Chocolate chips and sprinkles have their own ingredient lists.
  4. Only ounces. Where net weight is required, give ounces and grams.
  5. Old rules. States update cottage food laws. Check the source date before you print a big batch.

Skip the typing

Pick your product and District of Columbia in the Label Maker: the statement, ingredients and allergens fill in, with the official source linked. Prints on Avery sheets. Plus pricing, market signs and QR codes.

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FAQ

Does District of Columbia require exact wording on cottage food labels?

Yes. District of Columbia sets the statement shown above. Copy it word for word, with the same capitals, and don't shorten or reword it. Check the official District of Columbia source before printing, because rules change.

Where on the package does the statement go?

On the label of every packaged product, in a clearly readable size. Some states set a minimum type size or require it on the main panel; the notes above and the official source say if yours does.

What else has to be on the label?

Most states also require the product name, your name and address (or a permit/registration number where allowed), ingredients in order of weight, the major allergens, and the net weight. Your state's notes above list anything extra.

Can I make District of Columbia labels automatically?

Yes. In The Cottage Food Kit's Label Maker you pick your product and District of Columbia: the statement, ingredients and allergens fill in, with the official source linked, and it prints on standard Avery label sheets.

Other states

This page organizes the published District of Columbia rule and is not legal advice. Cottage food rules change; always confirm on the official source above, and ask your local health or agriculture department if you're unsure what applies to your product.