warebythe mississippi cottage food law, in plain english
what you can sell from your home kitchen in mississippi, who you register with, where you can sell, and what the label has to say. checked against the state’s own pages on october 14, 2026.
on this page
1at a glance2what you can sell3how to start4where you can sell5labels6what’s changed7good to know8questions9sourcesyes, you can sell some homemade foods from your home kitchen in mississippi without a permit or registration, up to $35,000 a year. stick to shelf-stable foods like breads, cookies, candy, jams and pickles, label everything, and sell in person, straight to the person buying, anywhere in mississippi. you can advertise online and on social media, but you can’t sell online, ship, or sell to stores or restaurants. foods that have to stay cold, like cheesecake or cream pies, aren’t allowed.
mississippi cottage food rules at a glance
| the law | mississippi cottage food law (mississippi code section 75-29-951) |
|---|---|
| who runs it | mississippi state department of health (msdh), food protection |
| registration | no no state registration |
| kitchen inspection | no |
| training | no |
| yearly sales cap | $35,000 a year |
| selling from your home | yes |
| selling at farmers markets and events | yesfarmers markets, festivals and other events, as long as you sell in person |
| selling online orders | noyou can advertise online and on social media, but you can’t sell online |
| selling delivering it yourself | limitedyou have to hand the food to the buyer yourself |
| selling shipping within the state | nomail order isn’t allowed |
| selling shipping to other states | nomississippi only |
| selling to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono sales to stores or restaurants, and no consignment |
what can you sell from home in mississippi?
you can sell
- breads, biscuits, cookies and pastries without cream, custard or meat fillings
- fruit pies
- candy, and chocolate-covered pretzels, nuts or whole fruit
- jams, jellies and preserves
- pickles and other acidified foods
- granola, trail mix, nut mixes and popcorn
- dried fruit, dried pasta and dry baking mixes
- dried spices, dry rubs, vinegar and mustard
you can’t sell
- cheesecake, custard and cream pies
- meat, fish and poultry
- sugar-free jams and jellies
- canned fruits and vegetables
- drinks and juices
- nut butters
- caramel apples with the stick already in
these are examples, not the full list. check the mississippi state department of health (msdh), food protection before you sell something new.
how do you start a cottage food business in mississippi?
- no state registration. mississippi doesn’t ask cottage food sellers to register with the state. check your city or county for local rules, like zoning or a business license.
- label everything the way the law asks (below).
- start selling in the ways mississippi allows, and keep track of your sales if there’s a cap.
where and how can you sell in mississippi?
| from your home | yes |
|---|---|
| at farmers markets and events | yesfarmers markets, festivals and other events, as long as you sell in person |
| online orders | noyou can advertise online and on social media, but you can’t sell online |
| delivering it yourself | limitedyou have to hand the food to the buyer yourself |
| shipping within the state | nomail order isn’t allowed |
| shipping to other states | nomississippi only |
| to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono sales to stores or restaurants, and no consignment |
on wareby, food is always pickup or delivery by the shop, never a courier and never shipped, which fits the rules in every state. how to sell food online from home.
what goes on a cottage food label in mississippi?
“Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Mississippi’s food safety regulations.”
the statement mississippi requires on your label
the label also needs:
- your name and address
- the product name
- ingredients, in order by weight
- net weight or volume
- allergens
- nutrition info if you make a nutrition claim
- the statement in at least 10-point type, in a color that contrasts with the label
what’s changed in mississippi, and what’s coming?
| when | what |
|---|---|
| july 1, 2020 | the sales cap rose from $20,000 to $35,000, and you can now advertise online and on social media (house bill 326) |
what else should you know in mississippi?
- check with your city, or your county if you’re outside city limits, about a business license and zoning before you start.
- msdh only inspects your kitchen if someone complains. breaking the rules can mean a fine of up to $1,000.
- food safety training isn’t required, but msdh strongly encourages it, especially if you make pickles or other acidified foods.
- lawmakers have filed bills to raise the cap or allow online sales every year since 2021, including house bill 910 in 2026, but none have passed.
questions people ask
do i need a license to sell baked goods from home in mississippi?
no state registration is needed for cottage food in mississippi. check your city or county for local rules, like zoning or a business license.
can i sell cottage food online in mississippi?
no. you can advertise online and on social media, but you can’t sell online.
can i ship cottage food in mississippi?
not within mississippi: mail order isn’t allowed. shipping to other states isn’t allowed either.
how much can i sell from home in mississippi?
up to $35,000 a year.
can i sell to stores or coffee shops in mississippi?
no. no sales to stores or restaurants, and no consignment.
what can’t i sell from home in mississippi?
the usual no’s: cheesecake, custard and cream pies, meat, fish and poultry, sugar-free jams and jellies, canned fruits and vegetables, drinks and juices. check with the mississippi state department of health (msdh), food protection before you sell something new.
sources
- msdh: cottage food operation frequently asked questions (revised september 2023)
- msdh: cottage foods
- mississippi legislature: house bill 326 (2020), as sent to governor, amending section 75-29-951
- mississippi legislature: house bill 910 (2026) history, died in committee
- mississippi legislature: house bill 910 (2026) as introduced, showing current section 75-29-951
- mississippi legislature: 2026 bills affecting section 75-29-951 (all died)
- forrager: mississippi hb 910
this is general information to help you get started, not legal advice. we checked it against mississippi’s own pages on october 14, 2026, and laws change, so confirm with the mississippi state department of health (msdh), food protection (and your city or county) before you sell. spot something out of date? email hello@shopwareby.com.
we sold cinnamon rolls from home as minnesota cottage food producers before we opened a licensed kitchen and built wareby. our story