How to Label Net Weight on Cottage Food Products
Net weight labeling is a required component of any packaged cottage food product label, and getting it right requires understanding both what net weight means and how to measure it accurately. The net weight declaration tells consumers how much food they are actually getting, and federal law specifies not only what must be declared but where on the label it must appear and in what format. This guide covers everything cottage food producers need to know about net weight labeling.
Last updated: July 2026
What Is Net Weight and Why It Matters
Net weight is the weight of the food product itself, not including the weight of its packaging. For a bag of cookies, the net weight is the weight of the cookies only, not the bag, the label, or any decorative ribbon or tie.
This distinction matters because consumers are paying for food, not packaging, and the net weight declaration ensures they can compare products on an apples-to-apples basis. Federal food labeling regulations require that net weight declarations be accurate within allowable tolerances, which are defined by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
If you consistently underfill packages relative to the declared net weight, you are shortchanging customers and violating labeling law. If you consistently overfill, you are giving away product and eroding your margins.
Where Net Weight Must Appear on the Label
The net weight declaration must appear on the principal display panel (PDP) of the label, which is the panel of the package most likely to be displayed, presented, shown, or examined under customary conditions of display for retail sale. For a bag of cookies, the PDP is typically the front of the bag.
For a box, it is the largest face. The net weight should appear in the lower 30 percent of the PDP and should be separated from other label information by a space at least the height of the lettering used.
It should not be obscured by folds, overlapping labels, or decorative elements. Placing net weight prominently and legibly on the PDP is both a legal requirement and a mark of professionalism.
Dual Declaration in US and Metric Units
For most packaged food products, the net weight must be stated in both US customary units and metric units. For weight-measured products, this means stating the weight in ounces (and pounds if the product is one pound or more) as well as in grams (and kilograms if applicable).
The correct format is the US unit first, followed by the metric unit in parentheses. For example, "Net Wt 6 oz (170g)" for a six-ounce package.
For products weighing one pound or more, express the weight as pounds and ounces, such as "Net Wt 1 lb 2 oz (510g)." For liquid products measured by volume, use fluid ounces and milliliters or liters. The dual-unit requirement applies to most cottage food products that are sold as packaged goods.
How to Accurately Weigh Cottage Food Products
Accurate net weight labeling starts with accurate weighing. Use a digital kitchen scale that measures in both ounces and grams and is capable of reading to at least 0.1-ounce precision. Tare (zero out) the scale with the empty packaging on it, then weigh the filled package minus the packaging.
Alternatively, weigh several empty packages to determine an average packaging weight, then subtract that from the total filled package weight. For consistency, weigh multiple units from each batch and compare. If individual units vary significantly in weight, you may need to either tighten your portioning process or label with the weight of the lightest unit in the batch to avoid any package being underweight relative to the declared weight.
Using a consistent scoop or portioner for cookies or other individually formed items helps reduce variation.
Handling Weight Variation in Baked Goods
Baked goods can lose moisture and weight during and after baking, and individual units within a batch can vary somewhat in size. When setting a net weight for a product, weigh the finished products after baking and cooling, since that is the state they will be in when sold. If individual units vary in weight, you have a few options: standardize your portioning to produce more uniform items, label by count rather than weight for products sold in counted units, or set your declared net weight at a level that the lightest unit in your typical batch still meets.
Remember that you can always give customers a little more than declared, but you cannot legally sell packages that weigh less than what the label states. When in doubt, set the declared weight slightly conservatively.
Net Weight for Different Cottage Food Product Types
Different types of cottage food products require slightly different approaches to net weight measurement. For packaged cookies sold by the bag, weigh all cookies in the sealed bag.
For individual cakes, weigh the finished cake without the box, then account for box weight separately by labeling with the cake's net weight. For gift sets or variety packs containing multiple items, the net weight on the label should reflect the total weight of all food items in the package, not just one item.
For jarred jams or jellies, the net weight is typically the weight of the jam itself, and many producers also use volume declarations for liquid or semi-liquid products. If you sell bundled items that include a non-food item such as a recipe card, the non-food item is not included in the net weight.
Common Questions
No. You must state a specific net weight, not an approximation.
The declared weight is a commitment to consumers that each package contains at least that much product. Federal regulations allow for defined statistical tolerances in how net weight is enforced, but those tolerances are applied at an inspection level across many packages, not as permission to label individual packages as approximate.
The required minimum type size for the net weight declaration depends on the size of the principal display panel. For very small packages with a PDP of five square inches or less, the minimum type height is one-sixteenth of an inch. For larger packages, the minimum increases.
As a general guideline, use a font size that is clearly readable and appropriate for the size of your packaging. When in doubt, go slightly larger to ensure readability.
You can use a single net weight declaration for all packages in a batch as long as your production process is consistent enough that all packages will meet the declared weight. To verify this, weigh multiple units from each batch to confirm that all fall at or above the declared weight. If there is significant variation, you may need to sort and label batches differently or improve your portioning consistency.
Some baked goods absorb or release moisture after packaging, which can cause a slight weight change over time. Label your products with the net weight at the time of packaging, since that is when the food is weighed and the label is applied.
Products subject to significant post-packaging moisture change may need careful packaging (airtight seals, moisture absorbers) to minimize weight drift. If weight loss is significant and predictable, you may need to package slightly above the declared weight to ensure the product still meets the label claim at the time of purchase.
Get Every Label Element Right, Including Net Weight
Quickly Cottage guides cottage food producers through every required label element so nothing is overlooked. Create accurate, professional labels that meet federal and state requirements.