Can a coffee shop sell my baked goods?

No. Cottage food can't be wholesaled or resold by a business. For that you need a Minnesota food license.

Do I need a Nutrition Facts label for cottage food in Minnesota?

Minnesota doesn't require one. Federal rules can still apply, for example if you make a nutrition claim on the package.

Can I put a QR code on the label instead of the ingredients?

No. The MDA says QR codes can't take the place of required label information. Add one if you like, next to the full label.

Which foods are not allowed?

Anything that needs to be kept cold or hot for safety. The MDA names cheese, yogurt, butter, ghee, jerky, pickled eggs, tamales, egg rolls, charcuterie boards, chocolate-covered fruit and THC or CBD edibles.

MN Cottage Food Label Requirements

MN cottage food label requirements are set by Minnesota's cottage foods law (Minn. Stat. 28A.152): your name, your registration number or address, the date you made the food, the ingredients with any allergens, and the sentence "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection." The same sentence goes on a sign where you sell and on your website.

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Cottage food label

Five things on every Minnesota cottage food label

Minnesota's food labeling requirements for home producers are short, but each one is checked by the MDA.

Example Minnesota cottage food label for wild rice crackers with the business name, MDA registration number, the date made, ingredients with allergens and the homemade statement

1
Your nameMinn. Stat. 28A.152, subd. 1
Your full name or your cottage food business name.
2
Registration number or addressMinn. Stat. 28A.152, subd. 1
Your MDA cottage food registration number, or your address. The number keeps your home address off the label.
3
The date you made itMinn. Stat. 28A.152, subd. 1
The date the food was prepared. For home-canned goods, the date they were processed and canned.
4
Ingredients and allergensMinn. Stat. 28A.152, subd. 1
All ingredients, with the 9 major allergens called out. The MDA accepts either "flour (wheat)" in the list or a line like "Contains wheat, milk, soy". Name the animal for other milks and eggs: goat milk, duck egg.
5
The homemade statementMinn. Stat. 28A.152, subd. 1
Word for word: These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.
Put the same sentence on a signSign ruleAt every market table, event booth or home stand, show a clearly legible sign or placard with the homemade statement. Selling online? It must be on the web page where people order. A QR code can add info, but it can't replace anything on the label.

Minnesota at a glance

Sales limit, registration and training

Sales limit$78,000 a yearGross receipts per calendar year, all cottage food sales together.

RegistrationEvery yearRegister with the MDA before you sell, even small amounts. Tier 1 (sales up to $7,665) is free. Tier 2 ($7,666 to $78,000) costs $50.

Food safety trainingRequiredTier 1: the MDA online training and exam each year. Tier 2: an approved food safety course every three years.

Nutrition FactsNot requiredMinnesota's cottage food law doesn't ask for one. A claim like "high protein" on the label brings in federal rules.

Selling honey or maple syrup?Special ruleHoney from hives you own or rent, or syrup from your own trees, with nothing bought added, counts as a product of the farm or garden, which Minnesota leaves out of food licensing. Add purchased flavorings, or use another producer's honey or sap, and you need a registration or license.Minn. Stat. 28A.15, subd. 2Custom Honey Label →

Where you can sellFrom your home (if local zoning allows), at farmers markets and community events, and online. You or an employee hand it over in person in Minnesota. No selling to stores, cafes or restaurants: the registration card says products cannot be resold.MDA cottage food guidance

A law change is on the wayComingHouse File 2446 moves everyone to one registration tier with a $30 yearly fee, allows shipping within Minnesota, and adds training for all producers. Until it takes effect, the current tiers apply.

Sources

Where this comes from

Questions

Minnesota label questions

Not yet for food made for people. Right now you or an employee deliver it in person within Minnesota. House File 2446 allows shipping within Minnesota once it takes effect. Dog and cat treats can already be shipped. Minnesota Cottage Food Law →

LAWMinnesota Cottage Food Law QUIZDo I Need a Nutrition Label?COTTAGE FOODCottage Food Label Requirements STATEIowa Cottage Food Law Label Requirements GUIDEAllergen Labeling Requirements (FALCPA)LABEL MAKERCottage Food Label Maker TEMPLATECottage Food Label Template LABEL MAKERNutrition Label Maker

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MN Cottage Food Label Requirements

Five things on every Minnesota cottage food label

Sales limit, registration and training

Where this comes from

Minnesota label questions

Can I ship cottage food in Minnesota?−

Can a coffee shop sell my baked goods?+

Do I need a Nutrition Facts label for cottage food in Minnesota?+

Can I put a QR code on the label instead of the ingredients?+

Which foods are not allowed?+

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