Maryland Cottage Food Law 2026
Last reviewed:
No License Needed
Limit: $50,000 / Year
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
CottageFoodLicense.com is an informational platform, not a law firm. The information provided by our AI Checker, templates, and guides does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. You must verify all information with your local health department before selling products.
Allowed
- ✓Non-PHF baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pies with non-PHF fillings)
- ✓Refrigerated baked goods (cheesecake, custard/meringue/cream pies, fresh-fruit tarts) — effective Oct 1, 2025 via SB 701 (2025)
- ✓High-acid jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters (pH ≤ 4.6)
- ✓Hard candy
- ✓Unflavored, unprocessed honey
- ✓Chocolate confections from commercial chocolate (e.g., chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered dried fruit)
Prohibited
- ✕Meat, poultry, seafood
- ✕Dairy products (cream cheese, custards outside the allowed refrigerated baked-goods category)
- ✕Soft candies (fudge, caramel, soft chocolates, chocolates made from raw cocoa beans)
- ✕Chocolate-covered FRESH fruit (chocolate-covered DRIED fruit is allowed)
- ✕Pickles, fermented foods, low-acid canned vegetables
- ✕Dehydrated/dried herbs and vegetables (the dehydrating process itself is prohibited)
Labeling Protocols
01Producer name and address (or MDH Identification Number)
02Product name (common/usual name)
03Ingredients in descending order by weight
04Major allergen declaration (FALCPA)
05Net weight or volume
06Disclaimer (10-pt or larger, contrasting color): 'Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland's food safety regulations.'
FAQs
What is the sales cap?
$50,000 in annual gross revenue from cottage food products. HB 178 (2022) raised it from $25,000, effective October 1, 2022.
Can I sell to retail stores?
Yes. Sales to retail food stores and food cooperatives in Maryland have been allowed since SB 290 (2019), but you must first register with MDH for a free Cottage Food Business Identification Number.
Can I ship out of state?
No. Interstate sales are prohibited. All orders — including online — must be delivered to a Maryland address.
Can I sell online?
Yes, but only to customers receiving the product in Maryland. Mail and personal delivery within MD only.
Are dried fruits allowed?
Yes — selling dried fruit is not prohibited, and chocolate-covered dried fruit using commercial chocolate is explicitly allowed. However, the dehydrating/drying process itself for herbs and vegetables is prohibited under MDH cottage food rules.
Can I make chocolate-covered strawberries?
No. Chocolate-covered FRESH fruit is prohibited. Chocolate-covered DRIED fruit using commercially manufactured chocolate is allowed.
What Comes Next
After You Verify Compliance: Your Next 4 Steps
Some links below are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd suggest to a friend. Full disclosure.
- 01
Liability Shield
Form an LLC
Separating your personal finances from your cottage food business protects your home and savings if a customer ever brings a claim. Both providers below file in all 50 states and handle registered agent service for Maryland.
- 02
Protect Your Kitchen
Get Product Liability Insurance
A single allergy incident or contamination claim can erase years of profit. FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program) is built specifically for cottage food operators — flat-rate annual policies with farmers market and online sales coverage included.
- 03
Recommended in Maryland
Complete Food Safety Training
Maryland does not mandate food safety training, but completing one builds buyer trust and protects you if a labeling or handling question ever arises. Learn2Serve's online course takes a few hours.
- 04
Production Ready
Set Up Your Kitchen and Labels
The right thermometers, storage containers, scale, and label printer turn a home kitchen into a compliant production space. Our Week 11 equipment guide walks through what we use and the Maryland-specific labeling fields you'll need.
Official Sources
Verify current requirements directly with the state:
At a Glance
Permit Fee
$0
No fee. Free MDH Identification Number required before selling to retail food stores or food cooperatives. Optional for direct-to-consumer sales (can replace home address on labels).
Renewal
N/A (MDH Identification Number does not expire)
Shipping