Missouri Cottage Food Laws (2026)
✓ Verified against official sources · Aug 20, 2026Missouri Cottage Food Production Operation Law (RSMo § 196.298), as amended by 2022 HB 1697
- License
- No license required
- Annual sales cap
- No sales cap
- Government fees
- No fee
- Training
- Not required
- Regulator
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of Environmental Health Services — no state or county registration/licensing is required, and local public health agencies are expressly barred by law from imposing additional regulation on cottage food production.Handled at state level
What you can and can’t make
Allowed
- Baked goods (no cream/custard fillings)
- Home-canned jams & jellies
- Dried herbs & herb mixes
Not allowed
- Meat products (any)
- Fresh dairy products
- Fresh shell eggs
- Fresh-cut produce
- Freeze-dried foods
- Pickles & acidified sauces
- Sprouts
- Foraged wild mushrooms
- Pet food & treats
- Fermented foods
- Low-acid canned foods
- Cream, custard & meringue fillings
- Any food requiring refrigeration (TCS)
Label requirements
Every product label must include:
- Product name
- Business / operation name
- Operation address
- Ingredients, in descending order by weight
- Net weight in both US and metric units
- FDA major allergen declaration
- Home kitchen statement (exact wording below)
Required statement, word for word:
“This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.”
Where you can sell
| Online orders | Yes |
|---|---|
| Shipping within the state | Yes |
| Across state lines | No |
| Stores, cafés & other resellers | No |
| Third-party delivery apps | No |
What it costs to start
- Permit / registration feeNo license required in this state$0
- Food safety course (optional)Optional here, but markets often ask$10–$30
- Labels, bags & packaging (first batch)$30–$60
- LLC formation (optional)Plus your state's filing fee$39
- Liability insurance (optional)Per month, from FLIP$26
- Likely minimum to start (required items)from $30
Common questions
Do I need a license to sell food from home in Missouri?
No. Missouri does not require a state license or permit for qualifying cottage foods, though other rules (labeling, allowed foods) still apply.
How much can a cottage food business sell per year in Missouri?
Missouri currently has no annual sales cap for cottage food operations.
Can I sell my homemade food online in Missouri?
Yes, online orders are allowed, and you can ship within the state. Sales across state lines are not allowed.
What has to be on a cottage food label in Missouri?
7 required elements, including the exact statement: “This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.”. See the labeling section for the full list (RSMo § 196.298.4).
Who regulates cottage food in Missouri?
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of Environmental Health Services — no state or county registration/licensing is required, and local public health agencies are expressly barred by law from imposing additional regulation on cottage food production..
Recent law changes
- 2022-08-28 (MO HB1697) — HB 1697 took effect, removing the previous $50,000/year sales cap (no cap now applies) and adding subsection 5 allowing online sales provided both buyer and seller are located within Missouri — interstate sales remain prohibited.
Official sources
This guide was compiled from the following primary sources, last reviewed on Aug 20, 2026:
- statuteRSMo § 196.298 (current text, effective 2022-08-28)
- statuteHB 1697 (2022) Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed — original text removing the $50,000 cap and adding online sales provisions
- agencyDHSS Missouri Home-Based Kitchen Food Production Guidance (2023-08)
- agencySpringfield-Greene County Health Dept — Cottage Law (county-level page confirming state law preempts, with local zoning rules only added on top)