Maine Cottage Food Laws

Maine is the one state where your town matters more than the state. Check whether your municipality has passed a food sovereignty ordinance first.

Fast facts

Permit
Home food manufacturing license (varies by town)
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Maine different

  • Maine's Food Sovereignty Act lets individual towns set their own local food rules
  • In towns that have adopted food sovereignty ordinances, direct sales may need no state license
  • Outside those towns a home food manufacturing license applies

Where you can sell in Maine

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Retail with license
  • Local events

What you can and can't make

Maine follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Maine labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Maine

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry administers cottage food rules in Maine.

Last verified:

Visit Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states