MICHIGAN COTTAGE FOOD LAW

MICHIGAN COTTAGE FOOD LAW.

Michigan cottage food laws

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MICHIGAN COTTAGE FOOD LAW was move in 2010 and change in 2012 to lodge the growing number of home bakers who wanted to retail baked goods and a short number of other products at places like fairs and farmers markets.

So what is the michigan cottage food law?

In Michigan, “home” is defined as a primary single-family residence.

This can be a single-family home, apartment or condominium as long as it is the food vendor’s primary residence and not a second home or a shared apartment such as a fraternity or apartment complex. It does not matter if the food vendor rents or owns the house.

You also cannot use a holiday home, a rented commercial kitchen or even an outbuilding on your main property.

Home bakers can sell their products at places like craft fairs, farmers markets, and pop-up sales events. You can also sell from street stalls and take direct orders.

Home food manufacturers in Michigan cottage food law can deliver products directly to customers or have customers pick them up at their homes.

Amateur bakers may not sell their products in third party locations such as cafes, supermarkets or bakeries or have their products marketed by third parties.

Unlike many other states, Michigan also prohibits home bakers from selling their products online or on social media marketplaces.

Start your business in Michigan

Home made chocolate cookies at home

List of Michigan Cottage Food Laws

Below is a list of foods that are considered cottage foods in Michigan.

Keep in mind that these are foods that require no or minimal refrigeration and do not contain ingredients that promote bacterial growth,

>Jams and jellies (except those made from vegetables, such as pepperoni jelly)

>Cookies

>Other pastries (excluding products that require refrigeration, such as cream cakes and cheesecakes)

>Roasted coffee beans

>Dehydrated vegetables, fruits and herbs

>Dried soup, dip and herb mixes

>Hard candies and lollipops

>Wedding, birthday and other special cakes

>Bread

>Quick sandwiches and muffins

>Dried noodles

>Coated and uncoated nuts

>Vinegar and flavored vinegar

>candy-floss

>Dry soup mixes

While some other states allow canned pickles and tomato-based products under cottage food laws, these products are not allowed in Michigan.

In Michigan, maple syrup and honey fall under a separate exemption. If you plan to sell these products, your annual sales must not exceed $15,000. (This is in addition to your baked goods and other products mentioned above.)

Your maple syrup and honey must meet regulatory labeling and processing requirements. As with cottage court products, you can only sell these products directly and not through third parties such as cafes and supermarkets.

Stumping laws by state

laws of state by  food law

Michigan isn’t the only state with cottage food laws. With the exception of North Carolina and the District of Columbia, every state has some type of cottage food law.

Below are some overviews of what some other states are doing and how their laws compare to Michigan’s cottage food law.

Ohio’s food laws are similar to Michigan’s. Similar to Michigan, no license is required for cabin food manufacturers in Ohio.

Like Michigan, cabin food is not subject to sales tax in Ohio. However, Ohio manufacturers must charge sales tax on all shipping costs.

New York’s Cottage Food Law is unique in that it allows hard candy under the Cottage Food Law, but not chocolate candy products.

In addition, certain dry goods sold as cottage foods in New York State must contain commercially processed ingredients such as seasonings, soup mixes, and nut mixes. Like Michigan, New York state does not include cucumbers in the list of permitted foods under the Cottage Food Act.

No license is required for cottage food manufacturers in New York. However, such producers must register with the New York State Department of Agriculture. (Registration is free.)

In Texas, those who produce food to sell at home must complete a food safety course before they begin selling. You must also purchase a Texas Food Handler’s Certificate for $10.

The permitted foods in Texas are similar to those in Michigan, except that Texas also includes vinegar and mustard. Texas cottage food laws also include strict labeling guidelines.

Florida’s cottage food law allows individuals to sell up to $250,000 of approved products in home kitchens each year without having to obtain a food permit from the health department.

Florida’s list of permitted foods is slightly narrower than Colorado’s and includes safe baked goods, dried pasta, nuts, popcorn, candy, honey, jam, fruitcake, spices, cereal and vinegar.

California’s cottage diet laws are similar to those in Michigan and other states we’ve discussed. California law, which went into effect in 2013, requires home food manufacturers to register with the California.

Department of Public Health – Food and Beverage Branch and successfully complete food safety training within three months of registration.

According to Michigan’s Cottage Food Law, there is a limit to how much you can sell. Under this law, food producers in Michigan cannot make more than $25,000 per year.

You must also keep detailed sales records to support this number.

You may be wondering, “How much does a cabin food permit cost in Michigan?” The good news is that no license is required to sell products under the Michigan Cottage Food Law. However, the state recommends that suppliers take advantage of the two-hour MSU Cottage Food Law Food Safety online course sponsored by Michigan State University.

Correct labeling is also important for cottage food vendors. Michigan Cottage Food Law labels all of the product’s ingredients (listed from highest to lowest weight) and all common allergens and net weight.

The label must also include a declaration that the product was “made in a Home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Branch of Agriculture and Rural evolution.”

Although not required, if you use a well to supply your home, the state of Michigan recommends that your well be tested annually.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of Health recommends that you have your septic system tested annually if you use this type of system for your home’s wastewater.

Michigan is a good place for a home food business

Home food business with cottage food

Navigating the overwhelming legal landscape of opening a grocery store in Michigan is difficult.

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