Michigan Can you legally sell food from home in Michigan?

Cottage Food Law

Michigan enacted a cottage food law in 2010 (HB 5280), and then amended it once in 2012 (HB 5130) to increase the sales limit.

Many types of non-perishable foods are allowed, and producers can sell directly to consumers at most sales venues.

It is very easy to start a cottage food business, since no license or inspection from the ag department is needed.

However, sales are limited to $25,000 per year, and indirect sales (through retail stores, grocery stores, online, etc) are not allowed.

Table of Contents

Selling Allowed Foods Limitations Business Labeling Resources Forum

Selling Where can you sell homemade food products?

Allowed Venues

Events Farmers markets Home Roadside stands

Allowed Services

Delivery Home Pickup

Prohibited Venues

Online Restaurants Retail stores

Prohibited Services

Catering Mail order Wholesale

Allowed Foods What food products can you sell from home?

Prohibited Foods

Perishable baked goods Acidified foods Low-acid canned foods Fruit butters Pickles Fermented foods Salsas Sauces Ketchup Mustards Candied apples Confections with alcohol Meat jerkies Juices Carbonated drinks Kombucha Pet food

There are probably more prohibited foods, but the ones above have been confirmed

To check if a specific kind of product is allowed, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development at 800-292-3939 or MDA-Info@michigan.gov

Maple syrup and honey is not covered under this law, but you can sell it through a separate exemption. To qualify, you need to sell less than $15,001 of maple syrup and honey each year, label your products properly (see Labeling section), and meet basic processing requirements. You can sell these products directly to consumers, as well as indirectly through retail and grocery stores.

Only "non-potentially hazardous" foods are allowed, but certain non-PHFs may not be allowed. Most foods that don't need to be refrigerated (foods without meat, cheese, etc.) are considered non-potentially hazardous. Learn more

Limitations How will your home food business be restricted?

Limitations

Commercial kitchen prohibited Direct sales only Primary residence Sales limit

There may be more limitations, but the ones above have been confirmed

Sales are limited to $25,000 per year

Business What do you need to do to sell food from home?

Food safety training

Food safety training is not required, but the MSU Extension offers a 2-hour cottage food training course for free. Both in-person and online courses are available.

Private well testing

If your home uses a private well, you should get your water tested annually to make sure that it is potable.

Private sewer inspection

If you have a private septic system for you waste water, the health department recommends that you get it inspected before starting your business.

Labeling How do you label cottage food products?

Label Requirements

Allergens Business address Business name Ingredients Net amount Product name Statement

Sample Label

Chocolate Chip Cookies

"Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development" (11-point type)

Forrager Cookie Company

123 Chewy Way, Cookietown, MI 73531

Ingredients: enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), butter (cream, salt), semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin, natural flavors), brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract (vanilla bean extract, alcohol, sugar), baking soda, salt (salt, calcium silicate)

Contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy

NET WT 2 lb 4 oz (1.02 kg)

If you sell maple syrup or honey, you must label those products with the same information that’s specified above, except the statement should read “Processed in a facility not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development”.