Legally Selling Honey in SC
SC Honey Labeling & Food Processing Guidelines
Honey is typically sold by weight, rather than volume. It is heavier than water, the standard for fluid ounces. This is why one cup of water is considered both 8 fluid ounces and 8 ounces by weight. However, 8 fluid ounces of honey will actually weigh 12 ounces. A gallon of honey (128 fluid oz.) weighs approximately 12 lbs. In South Carolina you need to label your honey by weight, not fluid ounces.
View the Honey Sales Quick Guide for more information on how to legally sell honey.
If you ONLY sell your honey directly to the end consumer (ie. farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets) and produce no more than 400 gallons (4,800 lbs.), you can apply for registration and inspection exemption.
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Note: Honey sold to the public must be labeled properly, even if you apply for an exemption.
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Honey house requirements include cleanable walls and floors, approved water sources, shatterproof lighting, clean utensils and equipment, sinks, proper drainage, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved septic or sewer system. See the Food Processing Establishment Guide.
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Shared Honey House Permission Application (link)
You must either register or apply for exemption from the SC Department of Agriculture. Both applications are available at agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/consumer-protection/ In the Search field, type in 'Food Safety Compliance'.
Lots of information here (including processing and labeling): https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RVCApplicationPacket2020.pdf
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All honey sold in South Carolina must be properly labeled. Labels must comply with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. SCDA Food Safety will review labels for compliance with the FPLA at time of registration or exemption application.
Please download the Honey Sales Quick Guide for latest SCDA guidelines.