Michigan Cottage Food Law
Tier: Great. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
50000
Non-potentially hazardous foods produced in a home kitchen, including baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, donuts, macarons), candies (chocolate, fudge, brittles, truffles), condiments (honey, nut butters, syrups, vinegars), dry goods (cereals, coffee, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, marmalades), and snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items, fruit leathers, vegetable chips).
Registration: No. Food handler cert: No.
Michigan Compiled Laws §289.4102 - Cottage Food Operation; Exemption from Licensing and Evaluation Provisions; Requirements (Michigan Food Law, Act 92 of 2000)
Verbatim excerpt289.4102 Cottage food operation; exemption from licensing and evaluation provisions; requirements. Sec. 4102. (1) A cottage food operation is exempt from the licensing and evaluation provisions of this act. This exemption does not include an exemption from the adulteration and other standards imposed in this section or under this act, or both, and does not limit the ability of the department to take appropriate enforcement action for applicable violations as described in section 5101. This subsection does not require a cottage food operation to meet the standards contained in 21 CFR part 110 or the food code. (2) Cottage food products must be prepackaged and properly labeled before sale. (3) A cottage food operation shall place on the label of any food it produces or packages the following information: (a) The name and address of the business, or name, telephone number, and registration number; (b) The name of the cottage food product; (c) Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight; (d) Net weight or net volume; (e) Allergen labeling as specified by federal requirements; (g) The following statement printed in at least the equivalent of 11-point font size in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development." (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a cottage food product must be sold directly from the cottage food operation to the consumer. Sales by consignment or at wholesale are prohibited. A cottage food product may be sold by internet or mail order or may be delivered to a consumer through a third-party food delivery platform if the cottage food operation provides an opportunity for a consumer to directly interact with the cottage food operation before the cottage food product is sold. A cottage food product sold by internet or mail order or delivered through a third-party delivery platform must be sold or delivered only to a consumer in this state.
Source: legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-289-4102 →
Michigan Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
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Michigan Cottage Food Law — Official Guidance Summary
Official agency guidance changes without notice. The text below is reproduced for reference only — always confirm current rules on the agency website before relying on it.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Developmenthttps://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-92-2000-IV.pdf
Michigan's cottage food rules are set by MCL §289.4102. The summary below is drawn from Crosodo's verified statute research and official agency guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the state agency website before you sell.
Program basics
- Michigan Compiled Laws §289.4102 - Cottage Food Operation; Exemption from Licensing and Evaluation Provisions; Requirements (Michigan Food Law, Act 92 of 2000)
- 50000
- No
- No
- No
Allowed products and sales channels
- Non-potentially hazardous foods produced in a home kitchen, including baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, donuts, macarons), candies (chocolate, fudge, brittles, truffles), condiments (honey, nut butters, syrups, vinegars), dry goods (cereals, coffee, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, marmalades), and snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items, fruit leathers, vegetable chips).
- 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, and pet food. Only two specified buttercream frosting recipes are permitted.
- Sales by consignment or wholesale are prohibited.
- Sales through retail stores, restaurants, or wholesale are prohibited. Online sales, mail order, and third-party delivery platform sales (e.g., DoorDash) are allowed in-state only, but require the producer to offer the customer an opportunity to directly interact (face-to-face or virtually) before purchase.
- A separate $75,000 cap applies if all products are priced at $250 or more per item. Honey and maple syrup have a separate exemption permitting indirect retail sales up to $15,000/year.
Labeling
- Labels must include: business name and address (or name, phone, and registration number); product name; ingredients in descending order by weight; net weight or volume; allergen information per federal requirements; nutritional information if any claim is made; and the statement in at least 11-point font: 'Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development.' An optional registration number (from MSU Product Center, one-time fee up to $50) may replace the home address.
Statute excerpt
- 289.4102 Cottage food operation; exemption from licensing and evaluation provisions; requirements. Sec. 4102. (1) A cottage food operation is exempt from the licensing and evaluation provisions of this act. This exemption does not include an exemption from the adulteration and other standards imposed in this section or under this act, or both, and does not limit the ability of the department to take appropriate enforcement action for applicable violations as described in section 5101.
- This subsection does not require a cottage food operation to meet the standards contained in 21 CFR part 110 or the food code. (2) Cottage food products must be prepackaged and properly labeled before sale.
- (3) A cottage food operation shall place on the label of any food it produces or packages the following information: (a) The name and address of the business, or name, telephone number, and registration number; (b) The name of the cottage food product; (c) Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight; (d) Net weight or net volume; (e) Allergen labeling as specified by federal requirements; (g) The following statement printed in at least the equivalent of 11-point font size in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development." (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a cottage food product must be sold directly from the cottage food operation to the consumer.
- Sales by consignment or at wholesale are prohibited. A cottage food product may be sold by internet or mail order or may be delivered to a consumer through a third-party food delivery platform if the cottage food operation provides an opportunity for a consumer to directly interact with the cottage food operation before the cottage food product is sold.
- A cottage food product sold by internet or mail order or delivered through a third-party delivery platform must be sold or delivered only to a consumer in this state.
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/food-dairy/cottage-foods
- Statute: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-289-4102
Summarized from official Michigan cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
Michigan Counties
83 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 83 counties →City zoning rules in Michigan
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
The Cottage Baker's Field Guide (PDF)
A 6-page reference covering all 51 jurisdictions with methodology and tier explainers — same data as this directory, ready to print and tape to your wall.
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Michigan cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Michigan?
Yes — No. Food handler certification: No.
What foods can I sell under the Michigan cottage food law?
Non-potentially hazardous foods produced in a home kitchen, including baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, donuts, macarons), candies (chocolate, fudge, brittles, truffles), condiments (honey, nut butters, syrups, vinegars), dry goods (cereals, coffee, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, marmalades), and snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items, fruit leathers, vegetable chips).
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Michigan?
50000
How good is Michigan's cottage food law?
Michigan is a Great-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and your local health department before relying on this data.