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Michigan Cottage Food Label Requirements

Cottage Food Operation (Michigan Cottage Food Law, MCL 289.4102)

Registration

Not required

Exempt from licensing and inspection. Optional MSU Product Center registration (one-time fee ≤ $50) to use a registration number instead of the home address.

Annual sales limit

$50,000/year gross ($75,000 if units sell for ≥$250 each), fixed until Oct 1, 2026, then Detroit-CPI adjusted (MCL 289.4102(5), 2025 PA 51)

Where you can sell

Direct producer-to-consumer, Michigan consumers only; consignment and wholesale prohibited; internet/mail-order and third-party delivery allowed IF the consumer gets a direct interaction (face-to-face or two-way virtual) before sale (2025 PA 51, eff. Mar 24, 2026).

The required label statement

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

At least the equivalent of 11-point font, in a color providing clear contrast to the background (MCL 289.4102(3)(g)). All caps or upper/lower case both acceptable per MDARD; statutory wording with title-case agency name is the safest render.

What must be on your label

  • EITHER name and address of the business (physical home-kitchen address, no PO Box) OR name, telephone number, and MSU Product Center registration number (address-privacy option)
  • Name of the cottage food product
  • Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight (sub-ingredients of prepared items listed, e.g. "soy sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt)")
  • Net weight or net volume, with metric equivalent
  • Allergen labeling per federal requirements
  • If any nutritional claim is made: labeling per federal requirements
  • The disclaimer statement (≥11-pt, contrasting color); products prepackaged and labeled before sale

Worth knowing

  • BIG change 2025 PA 51 (eff. Mar 24, 2026): cap raised from $25,000 to $50,000/$75,000 with CPI indexing; internet/mail-order/third-party delivery legalized with the direct-interaction condition; MSU registration-number privacy option added. Older sources still say $25,000 and face-to-face-only — do not rely on them.
  • Sourcing caveat (2026-08-31): michigan.gov and legislature.mi.gov block automated fetches; statute (current through PA 20 of 2026) and MDARD guidance verified via archived captures of the official pages.

Verified against official Michigan sources on 2026-08-31. Official source. This page is not legal advice — confirm requirements with your state.

Create a label with the Michigan statement included