Missouri’s cottage food law (SB 525) went into effect on August 28th, 2014 that allows cottage food operations across the state. Previously, a few counties in Missouri allowed cottage food operations, even though there was no statewide law.

Under this law, individuals can only sell their products directly to consumers, which includes sales from home and at events. They can only sell baked goods, jams, jellies, and dry herbs, which is relatively limited compared to other states. Cottage food operations can sell up to $50,000 of products per year.

Although the law is somewhat limited, it’s a big improvement over the sporadic county ordinances that Missouri’s had in the past.

A new bill (HB 410) was proposed in 2017 which would have allowed online sales, but it never passed.

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Allowed Foods

Bread

Biscuits Breads Brownies Cakes Cookies Doughnuts Muffins Sweet breads

Candy

Baked candy

Dry goods

Herbs

Pastries

Danish Other Pastries Pies

Preserves

Jams & jellies

Snacks

Granola

Prohibited Foods

Chocolate Fudge Truffles Other Preserves Fruit butters Pickles Salsas Sauces Fermented foods Ketchup Mustards Syrups Coffee beans Pasta noodles Brittles Candied apples Cotton candy Marshmallows Nuts & seeds Popcorn Juices Meat jerkies

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

Most baked goods that do not require refrigeration are allowed.

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

Limitations

Commercial equipment prohibited Commercial kitchen prohibited Direct sales only

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

Sales are limited to $50,000 per year

Business

No permit, inspection, or training from the health department is needed, but there may be other local requirements, such as a business license.

A local health department is not allowed to regulate a cottage food operation, but they can investigate a potential foodborne disease or outbreak.

Labeling

Label Requirements

Business address Business name Statement

Sample Label

The label must state that the food was not inspected by the state or local health department.

Forrager Cookie Company

123 Chewy Way, Cookietown, MO 73531

Resources

SB 525

Law Dates

August 2014

SB 525