Missouri Cottage Food Laws

Comprehensive Guide to Missouri Cottage Food Laws

This guide provides a detailed and accurate overview of Missouri’s cottage food laws, based solely on official sources. It covers all key aspects—from allowed foods and labeling to sales venues and training requirements—with clear, actionable information for home-based food entrepreneurs.

Quick Facts

1. Overview / Introduction

Missouri’s cottage food law began with Senate Bill 525, enacted in 2014, permitting home-based sales of certain non‑potentially hazardous foods (e.g., baked goods, jams, jellies, dried herbs) directly to consumers (pickyourown.org). The law was significantly expanded in 2022 via House Bill 1697, which removed the previous annual sales cap and authorized online sales and in‑state shipping, provided both seller and buyer are in Missouri (ij.org).

2. Sales Limits

Under the updated law (HB 1697, 2022), there is no longer an annual sales limit for cottage food operators in Missouri (cottagecms.com). The earlier $50,000 cap established under SB 525 (2014) has been fully removed (cottagecms.com).

3. Licensing & Registration

No state‑level license, permit, or registration is required under Missouri’s cottage food law (ij.org). Local jurisdictions may still require a business license (e.g., city of St. Joseph requires submission of a vendor form and a general business license) (stjosephmo.gov). Importantly, local health regulations cannot impose additional state‑level restrictions, though requirements like zoning or local permits may apply (cottagecms.com).

4. Training Requirements

Missouri does not require food handler training or certification for cottage food operators at the state level (ij.org). However, some local health agencies or market organizers may require training or certification as a vendor requirement or for insurance purposes (foodsafepal.com).

5. Home Kitchen Inspection

No health inspection of your home kitchen is required under the cottage food law (ij.org). This exemption is integral to the law and widely applied, with local authorities and codes unable to override it in most cases (cottagecms.com).

6. Allowed Foods

Missouri restricts cottage food operations to non‑potentially hazardous, shelf‑stable items. Under state law, producers may sell:

Home Sales law (statewide):

• Baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads)
• Jams and jellies (traditional fruit‑based only, excluding sugar‑free, no‑sugar‑added, or hot pepper varieties)
• Dried herbs and herb mixes

Individual Stands exemption (subject to local allowance):

• Includes all of the above, plus candies/confections, honey, sorghum, cracked nuts, packaged spices, dry mixes (cookie, soup, cake) (cottagecms.com).

Missouri does not allow refrigerated baked goods, meat, dairy, fermented, acidified, low‑acid canned foods, salsas, sauces, dressings, beverages, or other perishable/TCS foods (foodsafepal.com).

7. Prohibited Foods

Explicitly prohibited under both Home Sales and Individual Stands laws:

• Refrigerated/dairy‑based baked goods (cream pies, cheesecakes)
• Meat, poultry, fish, jerky
• Pickled, pickles, relishes, salsas, hot sauces, acidified or low‑acid canned foods
• Fermented foods, beverages such as juice or kombucha, and any TCS (time/temperature control for safety) items (foodsafepal.com).

8. Labeling Requirements

Labels on packaged cottage food products must include:

• Producer’s name and address
• Product name (common name)
• List of ingredients in descending order by weight
• Net weight or volume (English or metric)
• A statement: e.g., “This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Department of Health and Senior Services.”
• For honey, it is recommended to include: “Honey is not recommended for infants less than twelve (12) months of age.”
• If sold unpackaged or by individual piece, a visible placard must state that the food is prepared in a kitchen not subject to inspection (coopercohealth.gov).

9. Where You Can Sell

Missouri law allows direct‑to‑consumer sales including:

• From home
• Farmers markets, roadside stands, community events (Individual Stands law applies if local codes allow)
• Online sales (in‑state only) under the Home Sales law
• In‑state delivery or shipping permitted under Home Sales law (HB 1697), but out‑of‑state shipping or wholesale to retailers or restaurants is not allowed (cottagecms.com).

10. Sales Tax

Missouri applies a 1% state sales tax on food, plus additional local taxes; cottage food products sold directly to consumers are subject to this tax unless exempted locally (en.wikipedia.org). Specific tax treatment for cottage foods isn’t detailed in state guidance; operators should check with MO DOR or local tax offices.

11. Special Exemptions

• Dual‑law system: Missouri allows both Home Sales and Individual Stands approaches simultaneously—operators may use whichever suits their business model (cottagecms.com).
• Local opt‑in for Individual Stands law: Availability of that option varies by county or city, depending on local codes (cottagecms.com).
• Federal canned food exceptions: Foods covered under 21 CFR parts 113 (low‑acid canned) and 114 (acidified foods) are explicitly excluded from the exemption and require full manufactured food compliance (springfieldmo.gov).

12. Getting Started (Practical Steps)

1. Identify applicable law: Determine whether you'll operate under Home Sales (applicable statewide) or Individual Stands (if your local jurisdiction allows).
2. Confirm local requirements: Check with your county or city health department for business licenses, zoning, or vendor registration.
3. Choose your product range: Limit to non‑potentially hazardous baked goods, jams/jellies, or dried herbs; for Individual Stands may include candies, honey, etc.
4. Design compliant labels: Include required producer information, ingredients, net weight, inspection‑exemption statement, and honey infant‑warning if applicable.
5. Plan sales venues: Home pickup, farmers markets, roadside stands, community events, or online (in‑state only) with in‑state delivery.
6. Manage taxes: Track sales and consult MO DOR or local tax office regarding potential sales tax obligations.
7. Optional training: Though not required, consider ANAB‑accredited food handler training to meet market, insurance, or consumer expectations.
8. Verify ongoing compliance with any local health rules and keep records of sales for tax and business documentation.

13. Official Resources

• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) Food Safety & Consumer FAQs (including cottage food provisions) (health.mo.gov)
• Missouri Food Code (June 2013 PDF) (for exemptions and definitions) (health.mo.gov)
• Local health departments and zoning offices (e.g., Springfield and St. Joseph guidance pages) (springfieldmo.gov)
• Legislative bill texts: SB 525 (2014 law) PDF and HB 1697 (2022 reform) summaries via Institute for Justice or state legislature site, although full bill PDF from house.mo.gov (3826H.01P) was listed but not located in search results.

Official Sources

This guide was compiled from the following official sources:

• health.mo.gov
• [Source](Missouri Food Code PDF)
• [Source](Missouri Cottage Food Laws | Cottage CMS)
• [Source](Selling Homemade Food in Missouri - Institute for Justice)
• [Source](FoodSafePal article on Missouri cottage food law)
• [Source](PickYourOwn cottage food laws)
• [Source](Cottage Food Law | St. Joseph, MO)
• [Source](Cottage Food Law | Springfield, MO)
• [](Wikipedia: Taxation in Missouri)

Important Notes

⚠️ Local jurisdictions may impose business license, zoning, or vendor permit requirements—verify with your local health department.

⚠️ Individual Stands law availability varies by county; not all regions permit roadside stands or events under that law.

⚠️ Tax obligations for cottage foods may vary; consult Missouri Department of Revenue or local tax authority for sales tax details.