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Kentucky · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance

Honey

A single-ingredient food; confirm your path before selling

Verify Before You Sell

VerifyConfirm honey eligibility with the Food Safety Branch

1 itemIngredient statement is simply honey

ListedSweet sorghum and maple syrup are cottage-listed

ExemptFood sales exempt from sales tax

What's Covered / Needs a Different Path

What's Covered

Honey labeled with product name, net weight and producer name and address
Sweet sorghum and maple syrup under a home-based processor registration

Needs a Different Path

Honey blended with other ingredients
Honey sold with health claims
Sales outside your confirmed regulatory path

Compliance Steps

A

Confirm your path

Ask CHFS whether your honey is a raw farm product or must be added to a registration.

B

Package cleanly

Use food-grade containers and a clean extraction space.

C

Label

Product name, net weight, name and address; avoid health claims.

Quick Reference

Item	Rule	Regulator
Honey	Confirm path with regulator	CHFS Food Safety Branch
Sorghum and maple syrup	Cottage listed	CHFS
Labeling	Name, weight, address	FDA
Claims	No treatment claims	FDA / FTC

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my hives?

Ask the Office of the State Entomologist about apiary inspection.

Can I add flavors?

That becomes a new product; ask first.

Is honey taxed?

Unprepared food is generally exempt.

Printable Checklist

Ask CHFS to confirm your honey path
Use food-grade containers
Label with weight and address
Avoid health claims
Keep extraction area clean
Register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue if you sell taxable items
Keep copies of registrations, labels and approvals with your records
Re-check the rules with the regulator before launching a new product