Mississippi Cottage Food Laws

Mississippi explicitly allows internet advertising while requiring an in-person handoff — a common source of confusion.

Fast facts

Permit
No permit required
Annual sales cap
$35,000/yr
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Mississippi different

  • $35,000 annual gross sales cap
  • No permit, license or inspection
  • You may advertise online but the sale and delivery must be in person

Where you can sell in Mississippi

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

What you can and can't make

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

Mississippi 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 Mississippi

Mississippi State Department of Health administers cottage food rules in Mississippi.

Last verified:

Visit Mississippi State Department of Health

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Mississippi State Department of Health before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states