Michigan Cottage Food Law: Do You Need Food Safety Training?

Selling homemade food can be a great way to share your products and earn extra income, but every state has its own rules you need to follow.

Each state sets its own cottage food or “homemade food” laws that define what you can make, where and how you can sell it, and whether you need food safety training.

This article explains Michigan’s cottage food law and whether you need food safety training to sell homemade food.

Michigan cottage food law

Michigan’s cottage food law allows you to make and sell certain low-risk foods from your home without a food establishment license or routine inspections.

To qualify, your products must be non-potentially hazardous. In other words, they must be shelf-stable and not require refrigeration or hot holding to stay safe.

Examples of foods you can make and sell as cottage foods in Michigan include:

• Breads and similar baked goods
• Cooked fruit pies
• Fruit jams and jellies
• Dry herbs and herb blends
• Coated or uncoated nuts
• Vinegar and flavored vinegars
• Roasted coffee and ground coffee
• Dried pasta made with or without eggs
• Cookies, cakes, quick breads, and muffins
• Candies and confections made without alcohol
• Dry mixes like baking, dip, soup, or bread mixes
• Granola, dry cereals, and snack mixes
• Dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and vegetable or fruit chips
• Chocolate-covered pretzels, fruits, and similar non-refrigerated items

Michigan does not allow any potentially hazardous foods that require time or temperature control for safety. These include foods like:

• Meats, poultry, fish, and jerky
• Dairy products like cheese or yogurt
• Salsas, canned fruits or vegetables, pickles, and other acidified or low-acid canned foods
• Pies and cakes that require refrigeration, such as cream pies, pumpkin pie, lemon meringue, custard pies, or cheesecake
• Sauces, condiments, dressings, hummus, and beverages such as juices, cider, or kombucha
• Most fermented foods and foods made from cut melons, cut tomatoes, or cut leafy greens

Michigan sets a sales cap of 25,000 dollars in gross cottage food sales per year per household. You must keep sales records and provide them to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) if requested.

You may sell at farmers markets, farm stands, roadside stands, and similar direct-sale venues. You can also sell directly from your home and may take orders by phone, online, or through social media, as long as you personally hand off the product to the buyer.

However, Michigan does not allow cottage foods to be sold through any indirect or third-party channels, including retail stores or restaurants, wholesalers or distributors, mail order or shipping, consignment, or third-party delivery.

Honey and maple syrup are regulated separately and are not considered cottage foods, although they have their own licensing exemptions.

Do you need food safety training to sell homemade food in Michigan?

Michigan’s cottage food law does not require food safety training or a food handler card. But even though it is not required, having a food handler card can help you in several important ways.

When someone buys your products, they want to feel confident that what they are taking home was prepared and handled safely. A food handler card shows that you understand basic food safety and that you take their health — and your business — seriously.

Training can also expand your opportunities.

Some farmers markets or event organizers may ask for proof of food safety training before allowing you to sell. Insurance providers may also require training or offer better rates if you can show that you have completed a recognized course. Having a food handler card can make it easier to get coverage and may help you qualify for more venues.

If you decide to get trained, choose a course that is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) so your training meets recognized national standards.

FoodSafePal’s Food Handler course is ANAB accredited, fully online, and takes about 90 minutes to complete. Once you pass, you will get instant access to your food handler card and certificate, plus the option to order a printed version you can display at your booth or keep with your records.

Labeling requirements

Michigan requires all cottage foods to be individually labeled before sale.

Each label must include:

• The name and physical address of your cottage food operation (no P.O. boxes)
• The product’s name
• Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
• Allergen information
• The net weight or net volume, including the metric equivalent
• The following statement in at least 11-point type:
  “Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development”

For large or specialty items like wedding cakes that are not easily packaged, you can provide the the required labeling information on an invoice or label sheet that is given to the customer with the product.

The bottom line

Michigan’s cottage food law allows you to make and sell many types of low-risk, shelf-stable foods, but not those that require refrigeration or specialized processing methods.

Food safety training is not required, but completing an ANAB-accredited food handler course from FoodSafePal can boost your credibility, make it easier to meet market or insurance expectations, and show customers you take their health and your business seriously.

Clear, compliant labels are required on every product and help customers understand exactly what they are buying.

Ready to start selling your homemade goods with confidence? Visit FoodSafePal.com to get your Michigan food handler card online in just 90 minutes.