Cottage food rules
Michigan Cottage Food Law and Honey: What to Know
A plain look at how Michigan rules treat honey, so you can sell with fewer surprises.
On this page
What to remember
- Cottage food operations are exempt from licensing and inspection, but labeling and other Food Law rules still apply.
- Honey producers with limited gross sales are exempt from licensure under the Michigan Food Law.
- Cottage food products can only be sold or delivered within Michigan.
- Honey can be wholesaled to retailers if it is labeled correctly.
- Sales limits for honey were addressed in a December 2025 bill, so confirm the current number.
Where honey fits in Michigan rules
The cottage food exemption is written into Act 92 of 2000, Section 289.4102. That section addresses the exemption from licensing and evaluation provisions, the requirements, a registration program, and the MSU Product Center. Honey producers with limited gross sales have an exemption from licensure under the Michigan Food Law. If you are trying to decide which path fits your kitchen, start with Michigan Cottage Food Law Changes so you know what has shifted.
What you can and cannot do
A Michigan cottage food product may only be sold or delivered within Michigan. That matters for any order that would cross the state line. Cottage food operations are exempt from licensing and inspection provisions, but they must still comply with labeling and other provisions in the Michigan Food Law. If you sell eggs alongside honey, read Michigan Cottage Food Law and Eggs before you add them to your list.
Labeling and wholesale
Honey and maple syrup producers can wholesale their products, including to grocery stores and other retailers who will resell them, as long as they are labeled correctly. For cottage food, the exemption from licensing and inspection does not remove the labeling rules. Check the state’s current label rules before you print jars. If you are still learning what the cottage food class covers, Michigan Cottage Food Law Class walks through the basics.
What to check before you sell
Before you take orders, confirm which exemption fits your honey sales, what the current sales limit is, and what your labels need to say. The Michigan Legislature passed a bill in December 2025 to align sales limits of honey and other products, so an old number may not be the right one. If you sell cottage food products too, keep those sales within Michigan. Keep records of what you sold and where it went so you can check your limit and your labels without guessing.
Common questions
Can I sell honey under Michigan's cottage food law?
Michigan's Food Law has an exemption for honey producers with limited gross sales, and cottage food operations have their own exemption from licensing and inspection. Check which exemption fits your sales before you label jars.
Where can I sell cottage food products?
A Michigan cottage food product may only be sold or delivered within Michigan.
Can I wholesale honey to a grocery store?
Yes. Honey and maple syrup producers can wholesale their products, including to grocery stores and other retailers who will resell them, as long as they are labeled correctly.
Do cottage food operations need a license?
The Michigan Food Law exempts cottage food operations from licensing and inspection provisions, but they must still comply with labeling and other provisions in the Michigan Food Law.
What changed for honey sales in December 2025?
The Michigan Legislature passed a bill to align sales limits of honey and other products. Check the current limit before you plan sales.
Do I need to label honey?
Cottage food operations must still follow labeling and other Food Law rules. Honey and maple syrup producers can wholesale if the products are labeled correctly. Check the state's current label rules before you print jars.
Sources
This is general information for home bakers, not legal advice. Check the current Michigan rules or talk to a qualified professional before you sell.