Michigan: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The law doesn't mention self-serve or honor-system stands. Ask MDARD.

Michigan: Sign up with the state?

No. No state signup. MSU Product Center registration is voluntary, for labels.

Michigan: Food safety class?

No. No class required. MSU Extension offers an online course.

Michigan: Kitchen inspection?

Sometimes. No routine checks. MDARD can inspect after a complaint.

Michigan: Yearly sales limit

$50,000 a year · $250 or more per item: $75,000. Gross sales, not profit. The $75,000 cap is for products priced at $250 or more per unit.

Michigan: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only foods that keep at room temperature.

Michigan: Take orders online?

Yes. The buyer must be able to interact with you before the sale.

Michigan: Ship or mail orders?

Yes. Mail order within Michigan only.

Michigan: Sell through shops?

No. No restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers or consignment.

Cottage food law

Michigan cottage food law

Michigan lets you sell foods that keep at room temperature, made in your home kitchen, straight to customers with no license or inspection. The cap is $50,000 a year, or $75,000 for products priced high enough.

Checked against the law October 20, 2026

The rules at a glance

Cottage Food exemptions

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The law doesn't mention self-serve or honor-system stands. Ask MDARD.
Sign up with the state?
No
No state signup. MSU Product Center registration is voluntary, for labels.
Source
- There are no application forms to complete, no registration process, and you do not need to obtain a food license or permit from MDARDMDARD: Cottage Food Getting Started and FAQ
- A cottage food operation is exempt from the licensing and evaluation provisions of this actMichigan Compiled Laws 289.4102: Cottage food operation
- MSU Product Center Voluntary Registration for cottage food operations would enable the operation to use their unique registration number and telephone number on product labels instead of their full home addressMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
Food safety class?
No
No class required. MSU Extension offers an online course.
Source
- MSU Extension offers an online training to educate those wishing to prepare and sell foods under the Cottage Food exemptionsMDARD: Cottage Food
Kitchen inspection?
Sometimes
No routine checks. MDARD can inspect after a complaint.
Source
- The Cottage Food exemption only exempts you from the requirements of licensing and routine inspection by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentMDARD: Cottage Food Getting Started and FAQ
- it may be necessary for MDARD to enter and inspect your Cottage Food production and storage areas, view and copy records, and take photos during the course of a complaint investigationMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
Yearly sales limit
$50,000 a year · $250 or more per item: $75,000
Gross sales, not profit. The $75,000 cap is for products priced at $250 or more per unit.
Source
- The limit is currently gross sales up to $50,000 yearly, however, $75,000 is allowable if the cottage food operation sells cottage food products at a price of $250 or more per unitMDARD: Cottage Food Getting Started and FAQ
- Cottage Food Producers may sell up to $50,000 yearly in gross sales of certain foods with no license, registration, or inspectionMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
- However, $75,000 is allowable if the cottage food operation sells cottage food products at a price of $250 or more per unitMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
- Beginning October 1, 2026, and by each October 1 thereafter, the department may adjust the gross sales amounts set under this subsectionMichigan Compiled Laws 289.4102: Cottage food operation
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only foods that keep at room temperature.
Source
- They must be non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature controls for safetyMDARD: Cottage Food Getting Started and FAQ
- certain non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature control for safety can be made, packaged, and labeled in a home kitchenMDARD: Cottage Food
Take orders online?
Yes
The buyer must be able to interact with you before the sale.
Source
- A cottage food product may be sold by internet or mail order or may be delivered to a consumer through a third-party food delivery platform if the cottage food operation provides an opportunity for a consumer to directly interact with the cottage food operation before the saleMDARD: Cottage Food
- Can I take orders for my Cottage Food products over the phone? YesMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
- Cottage food businesses may advertise online and collect payments in-person or through a pay appMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
Ship or mail orders?
Yes
Mail order within Michigan only.
Source
- A cottage food product may be sold by internet or mail order or may be delivered to a consumer through a third-party food delivery platform if the cottage food operation provides an opportunity for a consumer to directly interact with the cottage food operation before the saleMDARD: Cottage Food
- A cottage food product may only be sold or delivered within MichiganMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
Sell through shops?
No
No restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers or consignment.
Source
- You cannot sell your cottage foods to a retailer or restaurant for further use or sale; or to wholesalers, brokers, or distributors who intend to resell the cottage foodsMDARD: Cottage Food Selling and Samples
- Sales by consignment or at wholesale are prohibitedMichigan Compiled Laws 289.4102: Cottage food operation

What goes on the label

Required wording

Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

At least the equivalent of 11-point font.

Source

Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
in at least the equivalent of 11-point fontMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling

The label also shows

Your business name and home address
The name of the food
Ingredients, heaviest first, including sub-ingredients
Net weight or volume, in metric too
Major allergens

No P.O. box. An MSU registration number and phone can replace the address.

Source

Name and physical address of the Cottage Food operationMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
You must use the physical address of your home kitchen; Post Office Box addresses are not allowedMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
MSU Product Center Voluntary Registration for cottage food operations would enable the operation to use their unique registration number and telephone number on product labels instead of their full home addressMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
Name of the Cottage Food productMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weightMichigan Compiled Laws 289.4102: Cottage food operation
If you use a prepared item in your recipe, you must list the sub ingredients as wellMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
The net weight or net volume of the Cottage Food productMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
must also include the metric equivalentMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling
Allergen labeling as specified in federal labeling requirementsMDARD: Cottage Food Labeling

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) before you sell, and again if you add a new food or a new way of selling.

We check these sources every month and update this page when they change.

Other states · Start a stand on GoodStand