How we verify state label rules
Every state statement and required line in our label maker comes from the state’s own law or agency guidance. Here is how we check them, what we don’t do, and what has changed.
How we check a state
- We read the official source. The statute or rule itself, plus the agency’s cottage food guidance. Where they disagree (for example, a rule not yet updated after a new law), we say which one we follow and why on the state page.
- We quote the statement word for word. The tool prints the exact words and punctuation of the source; we don’t paraphrase or shorten them. Capital letters follow the law’s text, except where the agency says case doesn’t matter: Michigan’s statute writes “Michigan department of agriculture and rural development” in lower case, while MDARD’s labeling page quotes the statement with the department’s name capitalized and says all capital letters or upper and lower case are both acceptable. Our Michigan statement capitalizes the name, as MDARD does.
- We cite it. Each state page lists the section for every required element and links to the sources we read.
- We record a last-checked date. It is shown on each state page and in the tool’s checklist.
- We measure the output. We download the PDFs the tool makes and measure the type at 100% print size: each state’s minimum point size for its statement, and the net weight’s minimum letter height (21 CFR 101.7(i), measured on a lower case “o”). Automated tests check the wording and sizes before each release.
What we don’t do
- We don’t give legal advice, and we don’t review your label. The tool formats what you enter; you are responsible for the label.
- We don’t cover every state yet: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Texas are built in. For any other state you can type your own statement (“Other state” in the tool); we don’t check that text, and the tool says so.
- We don’t track county or market rules, which can ask for more.
- FDA does not approve labels, and nothing here is FDA certified.
When in doubt, ask your state agency before you print a large run.
States we have checked
| State | Main source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | A.R.S. 36-932(A)(3) | October 19, 2026 |
| California | CDPH, Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products (Rev. 1/2025), item 3 | October 19, 2026 |
| Florida | Florida Statutes 500.80(3)(g) | October 19, 2026 |
| Georgia | O.C.G.A. 26-2-473(a)(2), added by HB 398 | October 19, 2026 |
| Michigan | MCL 289.4102(3)(g) | October 19, 2026 |
| Ohio | Ohio Revised Code 3715.023(A)(5) | October 19, 2026 |
| Oregon | OAR 603-025-0325(1) | October 19, 2026 |
| Texas | Texas Health & Safety Code 437.0193(b)(2), as amended by SB 541 | October 19, 2026 |
Change log
Rule changes we have applied, and corrections to our own tool. Newest first.
- October 19, 2026 – California (no label change). CDPH’s October 2026 Notice to Amend proposes adding chocolate and nut spread to the Approved Cottage Food List (new list expected on or about November 16, 2026). It does not change labeling requirements, so the California statement and checklist are unchanged. California page
- October 19, 2026 – Texas. The disclosure follows Senate Bill 541 (2025), Health and Safety Code 437.0193(b)(2), in effect since September 1, 2025: “THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION.” The older sentence in 25 TAC 229.661 is not used, because the statute controls. Refrigerated (TCS) foods get the date made and the safe-handling statement in at least 12 point (437.0193(e)). Texas page
- October 19, 2026 – Georgia. The statement follows House Bill 398 (2025), O.C.G.A. 26-2-473(a)(2), in effect since July 1, 2025: “This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.” HB 398 also requires a business phone number and allows a GDA identification number in place of the address. Georgia page
- October 19, 2026 – Michigan (correction). Our statement used “&”. It now uses “and”, as in the text of MCL 289.4102(3)(g). The department’s name stays capitalized, as on MDARD’s labeling page, which accepts either case. Michigan page
- October 19, 2026 – Net weight size. The net weight line now prints at FDA’s minimum letter height for the package front size you choose (21 CFR 101.7(i)), with the clear space above and below it (101.7(f)), and can be printed as a separate sticker for the package front.
- October 19, 2026 – State statement sizes. In the PDF, each statement prints at or above its state’s minimum type size (California 12 point, Michigan 11 point, Florida, Georgia and Ohio 10 point; Oregon: every line at least 1/16 inch).
Report an error
Found wording that doesn’t match your state’s law, or a rule that changed? Report an error
This opens an email to lancekong.business@outlook.com. Please include the state, the line that looks wrong and, if you have it, a link to the official source. If we confirm an error, we fix it and add it to the change log above.