Are you a food producer in Michigan looking to start your own business from home? The Michigan Cottage Food Law is an important piece of legislation that you need to be aware of. In this article, we will provide an overview of the law and explain how it can help you get your business off the ground.
The Michigan Cottage Food Law allows home-based food businesses to make and sell non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers. These cottage food operations are not subject to the licensing and inspection requirements of Michigan Food Law. However, there is a limit to how much money these home businesses can make each year. Michigan has a $25,000 per year sales cap for cottage food operations.
What can I sell under cottage law in Michigan?
- Breads
- Baked goods
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Quick breads and muffins
- Cooked fruit pies, including pie crusts made with butter, lard, or shortening
- Fruit jams and jellies in glass jars that can be stored at room temperature
- Confections and candies (made without alcohol)
- Granola
- Dry herbs and dry herb mixtures
- Dry baking mixes
- Dry dip mixes
- Dry soup mixes
- Dehydrated vegetables or fruits
- Popcorn
- Cotton Candy
- Repackaged dry bulk mixes sold wholesale
- Chocolate-covered pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers, Rice Krispies treats, strawberries, pineapple, bananas
- Coated or uncoated nuts
- Dried pasta
- Roasted coffee beans or ground roasted coffee
- Vinegar and flavored vinegars
Where can I sell cottage food in Michigan?
In Michigan, cottage foods can only be sold directly to consumers at farmers’ markets, farm markets, roadside stands, and other direct markets. You may not sell your cottage food products to retail stores, restaurants, wholesalers, brokers, or food distributors/resellers. Michigan prohibits cottage food businesses from selling over the Internet and via mail order.
You can take pre-orders for pickup at markets and other events with Airmart.
Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
You must label all cottage food products with the following:
- Name and physical address of the Cottage Food operation (your home)
- Name of the Cottage Food product
- The ingredients and sub-ingredients of the Cottage Food product, in descending order of predominance by weight.
- The net weight or net volume of the Cottage Food product in both metric and imperial (U.S.) measurements
- Allergen labeling
- The following statement: “Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development” in at least the equivalent of 11-point font (about 1/8″ tall) and in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background
If you are a food producer in Michigan looking to start your own business, check out the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s website for the full checklist for new food businesses.