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Cottage food laws

Missouri Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Missouri? Here are the sales cap, allowed foods, where you can sell, and the point where you must move into a licensed commercial kitchen.
Educational summary, not legal advice — cottage food rules change; confirm with the state before you sell.
Program
Cottage Food Production Operation
Annual sales cap
No cap
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnline (in-state, with home delivery/pickup)
Registration / to start
None (no permit, inspection, or training); labeling required (home address may be omitted)
Allowed foods
Baked goods, canned jams/jellies, dried herbs and herb mixes
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods; interstate sales
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Selling TCS foods, wholesale/retail, or interstate requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) / local health authorities · Mo. Rev. Stat. § 196.298; HB 1697 (2022)

Source: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) / local health authorities. Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

HB 1697 (2022) removed the $50,000 cap and allowed in-state online sales/shipping; narrow allowed-foods list (baked goods, jams/jellies, dried herbs). Not subject to state/local health code.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Missouri food-business requirements, estimate the build with the cost-to-open calculator, and check whether you need a hood.

Frequently asked

Can I sell homemade food in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri has a cottage food framework (Cottage Food Production Operation) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. There is no sales cap. You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) / local health authorities.
What foods can I sell under Missouri's cottage food law?
Baked goods, canned jams/jellies, dried herbs and herb mixes Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods; interstate sales
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Missouri?
Selling TCS foods, wholesale/retail, or interstate requires a licensed kitchen At that point, see the requirements and permit fees for your area.
Do I need a license or registration for cottage food in Missouri?
None (no permit, inspection, or training); labeling required (home address may be omitted)
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