Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan?
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Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Michigan's Cottage Food Law
The prospect of working for yourself and making money while doing something you enjoy is appealing to anyone wishing to start a new side business or just change careers. Do you know that the Michigan cottage food laws from 2020 are still in effect? Let's start by outlining the specifics of what a cottage food business is. This is a form of business that you can operate out of your kitchen at home. Some products can be sold while others cannot. This implies that even if your family recipe is something that everyone in the world should try, you might not be able to market it.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
The specifics of the Michigan cottage food law will now be discussed. Cottage food vendors are not subject to the "license and inspection restrictions of the Michigan Food Law" in Michigan. You are welcome to read through the Michigan Cottage Food Law pdf document in detail. Although it is extensive, you can start with all of the knowledge you require by reading through this post's conclusion.
There are still requirements for labeling and food safety under the Michigan cottage food law. Online training in Michigan cottage food law is provided by MSU with support from the state. Your certificate in cottage law will be given to you at the conclusion of the course. It must always be on show in your kitchen at home.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Your home-based food company in Michigan is only permitted to make up to \$25,000 each year. This law is meant to provide businesspeople like you the opportunity to "test the waters" and see if this is the correct line of work for you. It's time to think about switching from cottage food to a fully fledged business if you will go over your \$25,000 cap in any given year. Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
You can only sell the food you make in your kitchen at home to other people. You are not allowed to sell to farms, restaurants, grocery stores, supermarkets, or anyone else who is not a direct consumer. We'll get more explicit about what you may and cannot sell down the page. Anything that is regarded as a non-possibly dangerous food can often be sold.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
You must abide by any applicable local laws that are relevant to the area. Local ordinances are not superseded by state legislation. It merely excuses you from having to obtain particular licenses or undergo kitchen inspections.
Permission In Michigan To Sell Food From Home
No particular permit or licensing is necessary if you intend to sell food from your house in Michigan in accordance with the cottage food law. The Michigan Cottage Food Law Food Safety Online Training must be completed by prospective business owners. Because the state of Michigan does not view selling food out of one's house as a long-term endeavor, the state does require a permit. Instead, the state developed these rules to provide aspiring business owners the chance to test their concepts before starting a full-fledged operation.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
The cottage regulations require people who want to open a home bakery or kitchen to abide by local authorities. This does imply that additional registration may be needed in some nations or municipalities. You could need a DBA (Doing Business As) or LLC (Limited Liability Company) to operate your home business. To learn more about certain rules, you can get in touch with your county government office.
Food License Request
Anyone working under Michigan's cottage law is exempt from filling out an application for a food license or a license for a home bakery. There are no additional procedures to applying for a cottage food license other than reviewing the state's PDF checklist. In Michigan, business owners can test out their new endeavor with relative ease until they can demonstrate to themselves that they can earn more than the \$25,000 allowed under the cottage food statute.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
But individuals who want to sell food at a farmers market might need to get a Michigan food establishment license. Since these independent establishments are free to set their own policies, they are permitted to demand a Michigan food license from those who are excluded from the cottage food law. Other names for this license are Michigan food seller license and Michigan bakery license.
Lying about possessing a Michigan food license is not a good idea. Inadequate licensing may result in exclusion from the location and/or payment of a fine to the state.
The Michigan food license search is an excellent resource for anyone who wish to find out whether the product(s) they intend to sell need a license. Even though it is covered under cottage law, you could need a license to sell it. If you simply need to be a temporary food establishment for 14 days, you can still apply for the STFU license in Michigan.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Cottage Food Law in Michigan Shipping
Simple shipping rules apply under the Michigan Cottage Food Law: nothing may be sent to anyone. The only places where you can sell food that you make at home directly to customers are "farmers' markets, farm stands, roadside booths, and similar venues." Additionally, the legislation stipulates that face-to-face sales of your product are required. This enables customers to inquire about the dish and its preparation at any time. Although orders can be placed over the phone or online, payment cannot be taken until the customer is present.
In accordance with Michigan cottage food legislation, it might be possible to sell your food in another state. You must, however, abide by all Michigan laws as well as those of any other state. Even if the other state permits you to sell Michigan cottage law food items, you must make sure that the county or municipal laws also permit it. You won't be able to market your goods outside of Michigan if none of these requirements are satisfied. Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Detroit Food Safety
The Michigan requirements for commercial kitchens are more stringent than the requirements for home food companies. This is so that the state can't license or inspect your home kitchen. You must still keep your kitchen and surrounding area clean in order to produce your cuisine.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Only possibly safe foods are allowed to be sold in accordance with Michigan's food cottage regulations. This means that under cottage food law, you may only produce the following:
Breads
a baked good
Cookies \sCakes
Pancakes and muffins
savory fruit pies
Glass jars with fruit jams and jellies
Candies and confections
Granola
dried herbs and dried herb blends
dry baking mixes
mixing dry dips
mixes for dry soup
dried fruits or veggies
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
Popcorn
Sponge Candy
Graham crackers, marshmallows, and pretzels wrapped with chocolate, etc.
Finished or unfinished nuts
stale pasta
cooked coffee beans
Vinegar and vinegars with flavor
Read the cottage food law list for more information and a comprehensive list of what cannot be sold under cottage law.
Prior to being stored or supplied to your customers, your ingredients and foods must also be correctly labeled. When ingredients are opened and their best before date should be noted on the label. Every product that is to be offered to consumers must have the following:
your name and home's address in writing (cannot be a P.O. box).
the brand of the item.
ingredients with sub-ingredients listed in decreasing order. Soy sauce, as an illustration (wheat, soybeans, salt).
The product's net weight or net volume (must include the metric equivalent as well).
If there are any allergens, they must be listed and must adhere to all federal labeling regulations.
Is it legal to sell food out of your home in Michigan
"Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development," is what the label reads.
Your single-family home's kitchen must be free of pests, moisture, and unsanitary conditions according to Michigan law. You will be looked into if a complaint is made regarding your labeling, the fact that you don't adhere to Michigan health code, or the fact that someone got sick from a foodborne illness. The investigators won't let you know about the complaint until they show up at your home. The detectives will enter your home, look over all of your paperwork, look over your ingredients, and take pictures. Any altered or improper labels may be seized at any moment by the investigators. They may even completely shut down your home-based food business.
Conclusion
It is relatively simple to run a profitable cottage food business in Michigan. You will be successful as long as you produce scrumptious goods, label them accurately, maintain a tidy kitchen, and conduct business in person. Although you can undoubtedly sell your cottage food online, there are restrictions on where you can do so. Additionally, the locations where you can sell your homemade food products have the complete right to demand that you seek additional licensing to guarantee the safety of your food before it is sold. If you are right at or below your \$25,000 cap at the end of the year, it might be time to think about starting your next business from home. Indeed, that is the main justification for the organization of the Michigan cottage food legislation.