Home food business guide · Last reviewed October 2026
Cottage Food Laws in Maine
Maine has no annual sales cap on most home food sales (No cap). Getting started: DACF home food license ($20/yr); or a local food sovereignty ordinance. Foods that need refrigeration have to be made in a commercial kitchen. Of the 40 common products in our finder, 21 can be made in a home kitchen in Maine, many with conditions, and 1 more with a special license or program.
DACF home food license ($20/yr); or a local food sovereignty ordinance
Online & shipping
Not addressed by DACF guidance
Sell through stores
Retail stores with full labels
Refrigerated & TCS foods
No; acidified foods allowed after process review
Quick facts are summarized from 50-state trackers (Ardent Seller, reviewed October 1, 2026, cross-checked with PermitDeck and Food Business Pros). Where the details below differ, follow the state sources listed at the bottom of this page and confirm with the agency.
Maine ranks 12th of 51 in our Cottage Food State Rankings, with a score of 72 out of 100 (provisional, because some of the state's rules couldn't be confirmed or aren't addressed).
How 40 common products are treated in Maine, with the condition or reason for each. Items marked "general rule" weren't specifically addressed in the state's guidance.
Allowed from a home kitchen
Sourdough bread. Most shelf-stable baked goods are allowed under a home license.
Cookies & brownies. Most shelf-stable baked goods are allowed under a home license.
Garlic or herb-infused oil. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Garlic or herbs in oil carry a botulism risk and need a validated commercial process.
Kombucha. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Fermented beverages need a commercial kitchen, and producers monitor alcohol, since at 0.5% ABV or more it is treated as an alcoholic beverage.
Regulated separately
Beef jerky. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Meat products need USDA or state meat inspection, regardless of kitchen.
Cheese & yogurt. Dairy items like cheese must be made in a commercial facility with additional licensing.
Cold-pressed juice. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Juices aren't home-kitchen foods. Wholesale juice needs a Juice HACCP plan with a 5-log pathogen reduction.
Nut butter. Allowed if shelf-stable; DACF may review.
Infused honey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Vanilla extract. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
How to start selling from home
Check that the product is shelf-stable and doesn't need refrigeration or freezing.
Apply for a DACF home food license ($20 a year) and pass one initial inspection. Test private well water yearly for coliform and nitrates.
Acidified canned goods like pickles, relishes, and BBQ sauce need a review by the University of Maine Food Testing Service or another process authority before licensing.
Sell from home without a label, or at stores with full labels. Farmers markets and craft fairs need a mobile vending license.
Label food sold outside your home (see the checklist below).
Legal paths
Home food processing license
Where
Your home kitchen, with an initial inspection
Sell
From home (no label needed), retail stores, and markets with a mobile vending license
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
DACF license ($20 a year); process review for acidified foods
Local food sovereignty ordinance
Where
Towns that have adopted one
Sell
Directly to consumers in that town, without state licensing
Sales cap
Set locally
Paperwork
As set by the town
Commercial kitchen
Where
A licensed commercial kitchen
Sell
Refrigerated foods and dairy
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
DACF license; usually FDA registration
Commercial canning
Where
Licensed commercial facility with a retort
Sell
Pressure-canned low-acid foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
DACF license, process authority review, FDA scheduled-process filing
Label requirements
Required by DACF on food sold outside your home. Maine doesn't require a home-kitchen statement.
Common or usual name
Ingredients in order of predominance
Net weight, volume, or count. In grams and ounces.
Producer's name, address, and ZIP code
Allergens. Milk, eggs, fish, wheat, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy.
Turning a recipe into a product?
Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with food science, formulation, and process questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.