Expansion of Michigan’s Cottage Food Law for Small-Scale Entrepreneurs

Michigan’s Cottage Food Law may be expanded by a new bill proposed by State Representative Julie Alexander. In 2010 Michigan’s Food Law (2000 PA 92) was amended to exempt cottage food operation from the licensing and inspection provisions of the Act. MCL 289.1105 defines “cottage food operation” as “a person who produces or packages cottage food products only in a kitchen of that person’s primary domestic residence within this state.” Cottage food products are non-hazardous foods that do not require temperature control for safety including but not limited to “jams, jellies, dried fruit, cereal, granola, dry mixes, vinegar, dried herbs, and baked goods.” Currently, Michigan Food Law prohibits the sale of cottage food products by mail or internet.

HB 5671, which was introduced this month, proposes to remove the prohibition on the sale of cottage food products by mail or internet so that entrepreneurs will now be allowed to sell cottage food products to consumers by mail and internet. The Bill also proposes to amend the language of MCL 289.4102 to permit gross sales of up to $100,000 annually. Previously, cottage food operations could not exceed $25,000 in gross sales.