Mississippi Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Mississippi (MS) — 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
- Direct sales to individual consumers (in-person)
- Farmers markets
- Internet/social media advertising permitted (HB 326, effective July 1, 2020); all sales must be direct producer-to-end-consumer
Allowed Products
- Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings (such as breads, biscuits, cookies, pastries and tortillas)
- Candy
- Chocolate-covered nonperishable foods (such as pretzels, nuts, and fruit, except melons)
- Dried fruit (except melons)
- Dried pasta
- Dried spices
- Dry baking mixes
- Granola, cereal, and trail mixes
- Dry rubs
- Fruit pies
- Jams, jellies, and preserves (complying with 21 CFR Part 150)
- Nut mixes
- Popcorn
- Vinegar and mustard
- Waffle cones
- Acidified products meeting the definition in 21 CFR Part 114 (including pickles and pickled products)*
Prohibited Products
- Including, but not limited to:
- Meat
- Fish
- Poultry
- Dairy products (including custard pies)
- Eggs (other than air-dried hard cooked eggs with intact shell)
- Cooked vegetables
- Raw seed sprouts
- Sliced melons
- Garlic and other fresh herbs in oil
- Cooked potatoes
- Legumes
- Beans
- Nut butters
- Fruit/vegetable juices
- Rice
- Low-acid canned foods (vegetables, meats and seafood, others with pH >4.6)
- Smoked fish
- Pasteurized and pre-cooked foods
- Pork skins
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Mississippi:
Required Disclaimer
Made in a Cottage Food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations.
Additional Notes
Statutory authority: Miss. Code Ann. § 75-29-951. Revenue cap is $35,000 in gross annual sales for the entire cottage food operation. Cottage food operations are exempt from MSDH food permit requirements and inspections. No commercial-grade equipment required. Sales must be made to individual consumers within Mississippi. Internet/social media advertising is permitted (per HB 326, effective July 1, 2020), but all transactions must be direct producer-to-consumer. The disclaimer must be printed in at least 10-point type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label. If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate nutritional information per federal labeling requirements must also be included. Producers of acidified foods are highly encouraged to obtain training in special requirements for those foods. City or county business licenses may still be required — check with local authorities. *N.B. 21 CFR part 114: “(b) Acidified foods means low-acid foods to which acid(s) or acid food(s) are added; these foods include, but are not limited to, beans, cucumbers, cabbage, artichokes, cauliflower, puddings, peppers, tropical fruits, and fish, singly or in any combination. They have a water activity (aw) greater than 0.85 and have a finished equilibrium pH of 4.6 or below. These foods may be called, or may purport to be, ‘pickles’ or ‘pickled (your product).’ Carbonated beverages, jams, jellies, preserves, acid 5. foods (including such foods as standardized and non-standardized food dressings and condiment sauces) that contain small amounts of low-acid food(s) and have a resultant finished equilibrium pH that does not significantly differ from that of the predominant acid or acid food… are excluded from the coverage of this part.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Mississippi?
- Mississippi cottage food producers may earn up to $35,000 per year from cottage food sales.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Mississippi?
- No. Mississippi does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Mississippi?
- No. Mississippi does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Mississippi require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Mississippi does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Mississippi?
- In Mississippi, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct sales to individual consumers (in-person), Farmers markets, Internet/social media advertising permitted (HB 326, effective July 1, 2020); all sales must be direct producer-to-end-consumer.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Mississippi?
- Mississippi follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Mississippi cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Mississippi: Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings (such as breads, biscuits, cookies, pastries and tortillas), Candy, Chocolate-covered nonperishable foods (such as pretzels, nuts, and fruit, except melons), Dried fruit (except melons), Dried pasta, Dried spices, Dry baking mixes, Granola, cereal, and trail mixes, Dry rubs, Fruit pies, Jams, jellies, and preserves (complying with 21 CFR Part 150), Nut mixes, Popcorn, Vinegar and mustard, Waffle cones, Acidified products meeting the definition in 21 CFR Part 114 (including pickles and pickled products)*.
- What products are prohibited under Mississippi cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Mississippi's cottage food exemption: Including, but not limited to:, Meat, Fish, Poultry, Dairy products (including custard pies), Eggs (other than air-dried hard cooked eggs with intact shell), Cooked vegetables, Raw seed sprouts, Sliced melons, Garlic and other fresh herbs in oil, Cooked potatoes, Legumes, Beans, Nut butters, Fruit/vegetable juices, Rice, Low-acid canned foods (vegetables, meats and seafood, others with pH >4.6), Smoked fish, Pasteurized and pre-cooked foods, Pork skins.