Michigan Cottage Food Law

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:​

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• 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.

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ALLOWED COTTAGE FOODS:

You can make and sell foods that meet the low-risk, shelf-stable criteria.

Typical allowable items include:

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Baked Goods & Breads​

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• 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

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Sweet Spreads & Sweets

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• 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

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• 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)

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NOT ALLOWED FOODS:

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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:

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Refrigerated / Time-Sensitive Foods

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• 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

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• 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

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• Cream-based or custard pies (pumpkin, lemon meringue, custard)

• Cheesecake and any dessert requiring refrigeration

• Frostings or glazes that need cold storage

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Produce & Special Items

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• 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

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• 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

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Labeling Requirements

Every cottage food product must be labeled with: 

1. Name and physical address of your cottage food operation

2. Product name

3. Ingredient list in descending order by weight

4. Net weight or volume (with metric equivalent)

5. Allergen information (as required under federal law)

6. Often, a statement like:
   “Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.”

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