California Cottage Foods Law [ Labeling Requirements ] Tutorial

California Cottage Foods Law [ Labeling Requirements ] Tutorial
Welcome to our detailed tutorial on California Cottage Food Laws, focusing specifically on labeling requirements! In this video, we'll break down everything you need to know about labeling your homemade food products to comply with California's regulations. Whether you're a seasoned home baker or just starting your home-based food business in California, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of food labeling.
Labeling your products correctly is crucial not only for legal compliance but also for building trust with your customers. We'll start by explaining the essential elements that must be included on every label. This includes your business name and address, which provides transparency and traceability for consumers. Proper labeling ensures that customers can easily reach you if they have questions or concerns about your products.
Next, we'll cover the requirement to state the common name of the product. This means clearly identifying what the product is, such as "Chocolate Chip Cookies" or "Strawberry Jam." Having a clear product name helps customers know exactly what they are purchasing and avoids any confusion.
An important part of food labeling is the ingredients list. In California, you must list all ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight. This transparency allows consumers to make informed choices, especially those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Speaking of allergies, we'll also discuss the need to identify any of the eight major food allergens present in your product, such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Including allergen information is vital for consumer safety.
We'll then move on to the requirement of including your permit number on the label. If your cottage food operation is permitted, you need to include the statement “Made in a Home Kitchen” or “Repackaged in a Home Kitchen” followed by your permit number. This indicates that the product was produced in a non-commercial kitchen.
The label must also state the net quantity of the product, which refers to the weight, volume, or count. This helps consumers understand how much of the product they are buying. Additionally, we'll discuss the need to include the county of origin, which adds another layer of transparency.
Nutritional information is not required unless you make a nutritional claim like “low fat” or “sugar-free.” However, if you do make such a claim, a nutritional facts panel must be included on the label. We'll explain how to handle these situations to ensure you're fully compliant with the law.
Finally, we'll cover the mandatory statement of responsibility, which must read: “Made in a Home Kitchen” in 12-point type on the principal display panel. This statement is crucial for informing consumers that the product was made in a home kitchen that is not subject to the same regulations as commercial food production facilities. Affiliate Disclaimer
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