Do you need a license to sell honey in Rhode Island?

Whether you need a license to sell honey in Rhode Island depends on how and where you sell, so check before you print labels.

Cottage food in RI is limited to baked goods, so honey uses the separate Farm Home Food Manufacture path. The linked RIDOH page is the state packaged-food labeling requirement.

What your Rhode Island honey label must include

Start with the federal basics that apply in every state:

  • The word "Honey" (you can name the floral source, like "Wildflower Honey", if it is the main source)
  • Net weight in both US and metric, in the bottom 30 percent of the front label
  • Your name and address
  • No ingredient list is needed for pure honey; add one the moment you add anything

Then, for Rhode Island: Honey is not a Rhode Island cottage food, so no cottage-food disclaimer applies. Standard Rhode Island packaged-food labeling applies: product name, net weight, your name and address, and an ingredient list if anything is added. Confirm honey specifics with RIDOH.

For the full federal rules, including when a nutrition panel is required, see our honey labeling requirements guide.

The official Rhode Island source

These rules are set by Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). This reflects their published guidance; still confirm the current details before printing.

Read the official Rhode Island guidance.

Quick checklist for Rhode Island

  • The word "Honey"
  • Net weight in US and metric, bottom 30 percent of the front
  • Your name and address
  • The Rhode Island statement or disclaimer described above
  • Optional but recommended: "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age"