Missouri Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Missouri (MO) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Not required
Where You Can Sell
- home (direct sale at producer's home)
- farmer's markets
- roadside stands
- special events
- home delivery
- pickup
- in-state online sales
Allowed Products
- cookies
- cakes
- breads
- danish
- donuts
- pastries
- pies
- canned jam
- canned jelly
- dried herbs
- dried herb mix
Prohibited Products
- potentially hazardous foods
- refrigerated baked goods
- meat
- acidified foods
- pickled foods
- low-acid canned foods
- fermented foods
- pumpkin pies
- meringue pies
- cream cheese frosting and/or filling
- cheeses
- cooked sauces
- cut tomatoes
- leafy greens
- pickled vegetables
- salsas
- canned vegetables
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Missouri:
Required Disclaimer
not prepared in a kitchen subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health
Additional Notes
No annual revenue cap — a 2022 reform (H.B. 1697, effective 28 Aug 2022) removed the prior sales cap. Online sales are permitted but both the cottage food producer and the purchaser must be located in Missouri; mail delivery is prohibited. Local municipalities may impose their own business license requirements (e.g., the City of St. Joseph requires a city business license) even though the state does not. The Food Code exemption (19 CSR 2-1.025, Missouri Food Code) provides a parallel pathway for home-based producers at qualifying individual stands, with similar but somewhat broader product allowances (e.g., fruit butters, honey, sorghum, cracked nuts, packaged spices, dry mixes) and requires the same style of labeling. The state's allergen labeling requirement is not explicitly stated in RSMo 196.298; ingredients listed in order of predominance are required but no specific FDA Big 9 allergen declaration is mandated by the cottage food statute. No state-level permit, inspection, registration, or food handler certification is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Missouri?
- Missouri does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Missouri?
- No. Missouri does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Missouri?
- No. Missouri does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Missouri require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Missouri does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Missouri?
- In Missouri, cottage food products may be sold at: home (direct sale at producer's home), farmer's markets, roadside stands, special events, home delivery, pickup, in-state online sales.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Missouri?
- Missouri follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Missouri cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Missouri: cookies, cakes, breads, danish, donuts, pastries, pies, canned jam, canned jelly, dried herbs, dried herb mix.
- What products are prohibited under Missouri cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Missouri's cottage food exemption: potentially hazardous foods, refrigerated baked goods, meat, acidified foods, pickled foods, low-acid canned foods, fermented foods, pumpkin pies, meringue pies, cream cheese frosting and/or filling, cheeses, cooked sauces, cut tomatoes, leafy greens, pickled vegetables, salsas, canned vegetables.