Home food business guide · Last reviewed October 2026
Cottage Food Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi caps home food sales at $35,000. No state food permit is required for cottage food, though local requirements may still apply. Foods that need refrigeration have to be made in a commercial kitchen. Of the 40 common products in our finder, 19 can be made in a home kitchen in Mississippi, many with conditions.
Limited sources. The detailed rules for Mississippi rely on a 2023 state FAQ. They may be out of date or incomplete, so confirm with the state agency before relying on them.
Quick facts
Sales cap
$35,000
Permit or registration
None from the state
Online & shipping
Online advertising only; sales in person
Sell through stores
No stores, restaurants, or consignment
Refrigerated & TCS foods
No; acidified plant foods at pH 4.6 or below allowed
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.
How 40 common products are treated in Mississippi, 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. Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings are allowed.
Cookies & brownies. Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings are allowed.
Home-cooked meals. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
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. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
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.
Roasted coffee. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Pure honey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
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 on MSDH's allowed list and doesn't need refrigeration.
No state registration is required. Check city and county business license, tax, and zoning rules.
Sell in person, directly to consumers in Mississippi. You can advertise online, but sales must be person to person.
Label every product (see the checklist below).
Legal paths
Cottage food operation
Where
Your private home
Sell
Person to person in Mississippi; online advertising only. No stores, restaurants, or consignment.
Sales cap
$35,000 a year
Paperwork
None from the state
Commercial kitchen
Where
A permitted commercial kitchen
Sell
Wholesale, stores, and refrigerated foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
MSDH permit; usually FDA registration
Commercial canning
Where
Licensed commercial facility
Sell
Low-acid canned foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
Process authority review, FDA scheduled-process filing
Label requirements
Required by MSDH on every cottage food product.
“Made in a Cottage Food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations.”. At least 10-point type, in a contrasting color.
Name and address of the operation
Product name
Ingredients in descending order by weight
Net weight or volume
Allergens. Name the specific tree nut.
Nutrition information only if you make a claim
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.