Michigan Cottage Food Law: A Comprehensive Guide
This guide provides a detailed overview of Michigan’s cottage food law, covering legal requirements, allowed products, labeling, sales venues, and practical steps for starting a home-based food business in Michigan, based strictly on official MDARD resources.
Quick Facts
| Requirement | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Annual Sales Limit | Not specified in provided sources |
| License Required | Not required (home kitchens remain unlicensed) |
| Registration Required | Not specified |
| Home Inspection | Not required (unlicensed home kitchen) |
| Food Safety Training | Not specified |
| Labeling Required | Yes – must meet Cottage Food Law labeling requirements (see FAQs) |
| Online Sales | Not specified |
| Delivery | Not specified |
| Shipping | Not specified |
1. Overview / Introduction
Michigan’s Cottage Food Law, originally enacted in 2010, allows individuals to produce and sell certain low‑risk foods made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine licensing or inspection (michigan.gov). The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) maintains resources including a checklist and FAQs to guide entrepreneurs (michigan.gov).
2. Sales Limits
The provided sources do not specify annual sales limits or revenue caps for Michigan cottage food businesses.
3. Licensing & Registration
Michigan’s law allows home kitchen production without an MDARD license or registration, as it applies to an unlicensed home kitchen (michigan.gov). The Checklist for Starting a Cottage Food Business advises reading the Michigan Food Law and Food Code, checking local zoning, and determining business structure. It suggests contacting local units of government, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, or a business advisor for specific steps (michigan.gov).
4. Training Requirements
The sources do not mention any mandatory food safety training or certification requirements for cottage food operators in Michigan.
5. Home Kitchen Inspection
According to MDARD, the cottage food law allows production in an unlicensed home kitchen, implying no required inspection by MDARD (michigan.gov). The checklist does not reference inspection as a requirement (michigan.gov).
6. Allowed Foods
The sources provided do not include a list of allowed cottage foods in Michigan.
7. Prohibited Foods
The provided materials do not specify prohibited items under Michigan’s cottage food law.
8. Labeling Requirements
The checklist instructs operators: “Make sure your product label meets all the requirements of the Cottage Food Law” and advises reviewing Section 3: Cottage Food Labeling Requirements in the Cottage Foods FAQs (michigan.gov). However, the specific labeling elements (font size, wording, disclaimers) are not provided in the checklist document.
9. Where You Can Sell
The checklist recommends deciding where and how you will sell—such as contacting farmers markets for their specific requirements, which may include liability insurance (michigan.gov). Beyond that, the sources do not detail approved sales venues (e.g., direct-to-consumer, online, shipping).
10. Sales Tax
Sales tax requirements are not addressed in the provided sources; the checklist merely suggests determining tax requirements and consulting Michigan Department of Treasury or a CPA (michigan.gov).
11. Special Exemptions
The sources do not outline any special exemptions or unique rules beyond the general cottage food framework.
12. Getting Started
MDARD’s Checklist for Starting a Cottage Food Business offers practical initial steps:
- Read the Michigan Food Law and Food Code for safety and labeling foundations
- Review Cottage Food FAQs via michigan.gov/cottagefood
- Check local regulations (e.g., zoning)
- Determine business structure and seek guidance from licensing or business advisors
- Clarify tax obligations via Michigan Department of Treasury or an accountant
- Decide on sales venues; contact markets regarding requirements like insurance (michigan.gov)
13. Official Resources
Key official resources for Michigan cottage food entrepreneurs include:
- MDARD Cottage Food page – Overview and law details (michigan.gov)
- Checklist for Starting a Cottage Food Business (PDF) – Practical guide (michigan.gov)
- Cottage Foods FAQs – referenced in checklist, accessible via michigan.gov/cottagefood (not in provided sources)
Also recommended for broader compliance:
- Michigan Food Law and Food Code – foundational legal references (not directly linked but suggested in checklist)
- Michigan Department of Treasury or CPA – for tax requirements
Official Sources
This guide was compiled from the following official sources:
Important Notes
⚠️ This guide is based solely on the two provided MDARD sources; many important details—including allowed/prohibited foods, sales limits, labeling specifics, and sales venues—are not covered. Entrepreneurs should consult the full Cottage Foods: Frequently Asked Questions, the Michigan Food Law and Food Code, and MDARD directly to confirm those details.
⚠️ Information may have changed since the last update of the checklist (dated 2/21/14); users should verify current rules with MDARD.