Minnesota Cottage Food Laws

Minnesota is one of the better-designed cottage food laws: a real, high cap that adjusts over time, plus legal online selling.

Fast facts

Permit
Registration + training required
Annual sales cap
$78,000/yr (indexed annually)
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Minnesota different

  • Minnesota indexes its sales cap to inflation, so the number rises most years
  • Registration with MDA is required; a food safety course is required above the lower tier
  • Online ordering with in-state delivery or mail is allowed

Where you can sell in Minnesota

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Community events
  • Online
  • Delivery in state

What you can and can't make

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

Minnesota 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 Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Minnesota.

Last verified:

Visit Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Minnesota Department of Agriculture before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states