Michigan Cottage Food Laws

Michigan is popular with new bakers because there's nothing to file, but the face-to-face requirement means no shipping and no wholesale.

Fast facts

Permit
No license required
Annual sales cap
$25,000/yr
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Michigan different

  • No license or inspection, but a $25,000 gross sales cap applies
  • The sale must be face-to-face and direct to the end consumer
  • Labels must include your name and home address in at least 1/16-inch type

Where you can sell in Michigan

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Roadside stands
  • Home pickup
  • Events

What you can and can't make

Michigan follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development 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

Michigan 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 Michigan

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development administers cottage food rules in Michigan.

Last verified:

Visit Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states