Selling homemade food in Missouri

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Macarons · Strawberry jam · Loose-leaf tea blends

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Fruit tamales · Meat tamales · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Canned tomato sauce · Roasted coffee · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Marshmallows · Nut butter · Infused honey · Vanilla extract · Fruit-infused vinegar · 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 · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Pure honey

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.

Limited sources: the detailed rules for Missouri rely on a 2022 statute. Confirm with the state agency.

How to start

1. Check that the product is a baked good, canned jam or jelly, or dried herb or herb mix, and doesn't need refrigeration. Those are the only categories in the law.
2. No registration or inspection is required, and local health departments can't regulate you.
3. Sell directly to consumers. Online sales are allowed only when you and the buyer are both in Missouri.
4. Label every product.

Key label items

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

• A statement that the food is “not inspected by the department or local health department”
• Name and address of the operation
• Product name and ingredients