Michigan Cottage Food Law
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development: Cottage Food Law Website
Michigan Cottage Foods: Business Rules PDF
What is the Michigan Cottage Food Law?
Under Michigan law, a cottage food operation lets you make and sell certain foods made in your home kitchen (your primary residence) without a food license or inspection, as long as:
- The food is non-potentially hazardous and safely shelf-stable at room temperature (does not require refrigeration or time/temperature control for safety).
- You sell directly to consumers – sales over the internet – by mail (Updated December 2025)
- Your gross sales do not exceed $50,000 (Updated December 2025)
- The products are labeled correctly.
ALLOWED COTTAGE FOODS:
You can make and sell foods that meet the low-risk, shelf-stable criteria.
Typical allowable items include:
Baked Goods & Breads
- Breads, muffins, cookies, cakes (that do not require refrigeration)
- Fruit pies with non-perishable fillings
- Rice crispy treats, donuts
- Quick breads and similar shelf-stable baked treats
Sweet Spreads & Sweets
- Fruit jams, jellies, preserves (from fruit only)
- Hard candies, lollipops, peppermint sticks
- Cotton candy, chocolate-covered candies that don’t need refrigeration
Miscellaneous Shelf-Stable Foods
- Dried pasta (with or without eggs)
- Roasted coffee beans or grounds
- Popcorn and coated popcorn treats
- Vinegars and flavored vinegars
- Dried herbs, dried spice mixes, dry baking mixes
- Extracts used for flavoring foods (e.g., vanilla extract)
NOT ALLOWED FOODS:
Some foods are too risky or require temperature control and must be produced in a licensed commercial kitchen before sale.
Examples that cannot be made/sold under Michigan’s cottage food law include:
Refrigerated / Time-Sensitive Foods
- Meat, poultry, fish products
- Dairy, milk products (cheese, yogurt)
- Egg-based products that require refrigeration
- Cooked vegetables or beans that require temperature control
Condiments, Sauces & Pickled/Canned Goods
- All canned foods except fruit jams/jellies
- Pickles and pickled products
- Salsas, tomato sauces, pasta sauces
- Salad dressings, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard
Refrigerated Desserts & Specialty Foods
- Cream-based or custard pies (pumpkin, lemon meringue, custard)
- Cheesecake and any dessert requiring refrigeration
- Frostings or glazes that need cold storage
Produce & Special Items
- Cut fruits/vegetables (e.g., cut melons, tomatoes, leafy greens)
- Raw seed sprouts
- Garlic-in-oil mixtures (unsafe without control)
- All beverages (fruit/vegetable juices, kombucha, cider)
- Ice and ice products
Other Not Allowed
- Confections containing actual alcohol (only alcohol flavoring is permitted)
- Pet foods and treats (require separate licensing)
- Tinctures & herbal supplements with health claims
- Fermented foods (e.g., kombucha) are excluded and require licensing
Labeling Requirements
Every cottage food product must be labeled with:
- Name and physical address of your cottage food operation
- Product name
- Ingredient list in descending order by weight
- Net weight or volume (with metric equivalent)
- Allergen information (as required under federal law)
- Often, a statement like:
“Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.”