Selling homemade food in Maryland

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Strawberry jam · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Chocolates & truffles · Marshmallows

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Meat tamales · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Canned tomato sauce · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Nut butter · Vanilla extract · Garlic or herb-infused oil^‡ · Mustard (no egg) · Home-cooked meals^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt^‡ · Cold-pressed juice^‡ · Kombucha

Ask the agency first

Cake with buttercream · Macarons · Fruit tamales · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Freeze-dried candy · Pure honey · Infused honey · Fruit-infused vinegar

Every product has conditions, such as registration, training, labeling, and sales limits. See the full guide for each one. ‡ General rule; not specifically addressed in this state's guidance.

How to start

1. Check that the product is on MDH's allowed list and isn't perishable.
2. No license is needed to sell from home, at farmers markets and events, or by personal or mail delivery in Maryland. Check with your local health department before markets and events.
3. To sell through retail stores, submit a Cottage Food Business Request Form to MDH, complete a basic food safety course, and wait for written approval.
4. Label every product.

Key label items

Use the exact required wording shown in the full guide and on the agency's site.

• “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations.”
• Business name and address
• Product name
• Ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order by weight
• Net weight, count, or volume
• Allergens per federal rules
• Nutrition facts only if you make a claim
• Retail store sales: phone, email, and date made