Maine cottage food law

The rules at a glance

Home Food Processor License

• Unattended honesty stand?

  Not addressed

  No state source addresses unattended, self-serve or honor-system sales.

• Sign up with the state?

  Yes

  Home Food Processor License, $20 a year. Town food sovereignty ordinances may exempt direct sales.

  Source

  • Most baked goods require a Home Food Processor LicenseMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Maine Farm Stand FAQ (PDF)
  • Yes, these products generally require licensingMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Maine Farm Stand FAQ (PDF)
  • The Home Food Processor License fee is $20 per yearMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Maine Farm Stand FAQ (PDF)
  • A person, firm, corporation or copartnership may not operate a food establishment or a food salvage establishment or act as a salvage broker unless licensed for that purpose by the commissionerMaine Revised Statutes 22 M.R.S. s. 2167, License required
  • a municipality or plantation may adopt ordinances regarding traditional foodways and direct producer-to-consumer transactions, and the State shall recognize such ordinances by not enforcing those laws or implementing rules with respect to those traditional foodways or direct producer-to-consumer transactions that are governed by the ordinanceMaine Revised Statutes 7 M.R.S. s. 284, Maine Food Sovereignty Act authority

• Food safety class?

  Not addressed

  No state source mentions a food safety course.

• Kitchen inspection?

  Yes

  Initial inspection before licensing. No annual inspections.

  Source

  • An initial inspection is required to receive a Home Food LicenseMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Home Food License 101 (PDF)
  • Annual inspections are not requiredMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Home Food License 101 (PDF)

• Yearly sales limit

  No limit

  The license rules set no yearly sales cap.

  Source

  • A Home Food license allows you to create a number of products at your home that you can sell from home and/or at retail storesMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Home Food License 101 (PDF)
  • It allows you to produce and sell shelf-stable food products from your home and at wholesale throughout the state of Maine and the United StatesMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Permits and Licenses

• Foods that need a fridge?

  No

  Shelf-stable only. Refrigerated or frozen foods need a different license.

  Source

  • Products that have to be refrigerated or frozen to control microbial growth are not allowed with a Home Food LicenseMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Home Food License 101 (PDF)
  • Home Food Processor Licenses are generally intended for shelf-stable foods that do not require refrigeration for food safetyMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Maine Farm Stand FAQ (PDF)
  • If your product must be refrigerated to remain safe, additional kitchen and licensing requirements are likely to applyMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Maine Farm Stand FAQ (PDF)

• Take orders online?

  Not addressed

  No state source addresses online or phone orders.

• Ship or mail orders?

  Not addressed

  No state source addresses shipping or mail orders.

• Sell through shops?

  Yes

  Retail stores and wholesale are allowed.

  Source

  • A Home Food license allows you to create a number of products at your home that you can sell from home and/or at retail storesMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Home Food License 101 (PDF)
  • It allows you to produce and sell shelf-stable food products from your home and at wholesale throughout the state of Maine and the United StatesMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Permits and Licenses

What goes on the label