How to label homemade granola for sale
Granola is one of the easiest home foods to sell, and one of the easiest to mislabel. Here is what your granola bag needs before it goes out.
What your granola label needs
- ✓Product name. The common name of the food, so a buyer knows what it is.
- ✓Net quantity. Granola is sold by net weight, for example 12 oz.
- ✓Ingredient list. Every ingredient, listed heaviest-first by weight.
- ✓Allergen statement. A “Contains” line for any of the nine major allergens in your recipe.
- ✓Business name and address. Who made the food and where they can be reached.
- ✓Home-kitchen disclaimer. The cottage food sentence your state requires you to print.
Allergens to watch in granola
In granola, the allergens to watch are usually tree nuts, and often wheat, peanuts, soy, or sesame, depending on your mix; oats are not one of the nine major allergens, but note gluten cross-contact if you claim gluten free. Your “Contains” line should reflect what is actually in your recipe, not a generic list.
Nutripane reads the allergens from your ingredients automatically, so the Contains line matches your recipe.
Do you need a Nutrition Facts panel for granola?
Granola is usually exempt from the Nutrition Facts panel as a cottage food. A claim like high protein, high fiber, or gluten free adds the panel and stricter rules.
Nutripane builds the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredient, allergen, and disclaimer label from your recipe, so you are ready whether you need the panel or not.
One thing sellers miss on granola
Name the nuts and seeds specifically, almonds, pumpkin seeds. A gluten-free claim on oats needs certified gluten-free oats and usually a Nutrition Facts panel.
Questions
How do I label homemade granola to sell?
List the product name, net weight, ingredients heaviest-first, an allergen Contains line for any of the nine majors in your mix, your business name and address, and your state's home-kitchen disclaimer. A full panel is usually optional unless you make a nutrition claim.
Do I have to list oats as an allergen?
Oats are not one of the nine major allergens, so they do not go on the Contains line by themselves. But tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame do, and granola often includes them. If you claim gluten free, you need certified gluten-free oats.
Where to sell your granola
Where you sell decides whether you need a full Nutrition Facts panel. Here is what each channel expects.
Guides to get you started
Labeling another food?
This page is general information, not legal advice. Food labeling and cottage food rules vary by state and county and change over time. Confirm current requirements with your state's cottage food program before you sell. See your state's rules or another product.