The Law
Michigan's Cottage Food Law at a Glance
Michigan Cottage Food Law — Key Facts
Income Limits
Annual Sales Cap
The sales cap applies per person, not per household — a meaningful change from the prior law. If two people in the same home both operate separate cottage food businesses, each person has their own $50,000 limit.
MDARD may request written documentation to verify your annual gross sales at any time. Maintain organized sales records from day one. Starting October 1, 2026, the cap will be adjusted annually for inflation using the Detroit Consumer Price Index.
If you exceed the cap, you are no longer eligible to operate under the cottage food exemption. You'll need to transition to a licensed food establishment with a commercial kitchen, MDARD food establishment license, and routine inspections.
Sales Channels
Where You Can Sell in Michigan
- Farmers markets
- Farm markets & roadside stands
- Craft shows & fairs
- Other direct-to-consumer markets
- Home pickup by customers
- Online orders (in-state, with prior interaction)
- Mail order within Michigan
- Third-party delivery apps (in-state)
- Wholesale to stores or restaurants
- Consignment sales
- Sales to restaurants or cafes
- Shipping out of Michigan
- Online sales without prior buyer interaction
- Grocery store shelf placement
- Farmers market consignment via another vendor
Products
What You Can (and Can't) Sell
Michigan uses a positive list approach — only foods explicitly identified by MDARD are permitted. If a product isn't on the approved list, assume it is not allowed. All cottage foods must be non-potentially hazardous (non-TCS): they can be safely stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration.
- Breads, rolls & baked goods
- Cookies, cakes & muffins
- Fruit jams & jellies (21 CFR Part 150)
- Hard candy, fudge & caramels
- Roasted nuts & nut brittle
- Granola & trail mix
- Dried herbs & spice blends
- Dry baking mixes & soup mixes
- Roasted coffee beans & grounds
- Popcorn & flavored popcorn
- Dried pasta
- Dehydrated fruits & vegetables
- Vinegar & flavored vinegars
- Chocolate-dipped pretzels, treats
- Meats & jerky of any kind
- Fish & seafood products
- Home-canned goods (any)
- Pickles & canned pickled items
- Salsas & canned tomato products
- Fermented foods (kombucha, etc.)
- Dairy products & cheese
- Juices & bottled beverages
- Raw seed sprouts
- Vegetable jams or jellies
- Refrigeration-required pies & cakes
- Nut butters
- Fruit butters (apple butter)
- Alcohol-containing baked goods
See our full What You Can Sell guide and Special Categories page for detailed rules on borderline products.
Labels
Required Label Information
Every cottage food product must be prepackaged and labeled before sale. Michigan's label requirements are specific — non-compliance is the most common violation cited at farmers markets.
"Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development."
Full labeling walkthrough with examples: Michigan Cottage Food Labeling Rules →
Timeline
How Michigan's Law Has Evolved
Full Guide
Explore the Michigan Cottage Food Guide
What You Can Sell
Complete MDARD-approved product list with notes on borderline items.
Explore →Shelf-Stable Foods
Baked goods, jams, candies, dried mixes and everything that qualifies.
Explore →Prepared Meals
What counts, what doesn't, and the safety line for prepared items.
Explore →Beverages
Coffee, tea, vinegar drinks, and which beverages are off-limits.
Explore →Permits & Licensing
No food license required — but here's what you actually need.
Explore →Labeling Rules
Everything that must appear on your label, with real examples.
Explore →Special Categories
Pickles, kombucha, honey, freeze-dried foods, and other edge cases.
Explore →Start Your Business
LLC vs. sole prop, EIN, sales tax, and Michigan-specific setup steps.
Explore →