Cottage food label requirements in Maryland
Cottage Food Businesses, Md. Code, Health-General §21-301(b-1), (b-2) and §21-330.1, as amended by HB 535 (2026, Ch. 320, eff. Oct. 1, 2026); COMAR 10.15.03.02B(17-1), 10.15.03.27. Regulated by Maryland Department of Health, Office of Food Protection. Checked against state sources on .
The statement your label needs
Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland’s food safety regulations
Type size and placement: Printed in 10 point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label. All labels must be in English.
What is different in Maryland
- Cap doubled to $100,000 effective Oct. 1, 2026 (HB 535)
- Sales outside Maryland (interstate) are prohibited
- Retail store sales need MDH written approval, food safety course and extra label items (phone, email, date made)
- MDH unique ID number can replace the home address on the label
- Lab-tested products (aw 0.85 or less or pH 4.6 or less) may qualify even if not on the allowed list
- Permit
- No permit or registration for most baked goods. Cottage food businesses are not licensed. No license or health department review for direct sales. Sales to retail food stores require MDH review via the ID and Retail Sales Request Form (label plus proof of an ANSI/MDH-approved basic food safety course within the past 3 years) and a written compliance letter; no fee. Must follow county/municipal zoning and ordinances.
- Sales cap
- $100,000 a year. $100,000 annual revenue from Oct. 1, 2026 (HB 535, Ch. 320); was $50,000 since Oct. 1, 2022. MDH guidelines (11/2025) still show $50,000.
- Where you can sell
- In Maryland only: directly to a consumer from a residence, at a farmer's market, at a public event, by personal delivery, or by mail delivery; or to a retail food store (grocery store, food cooperative) after MDH approval.
- Online orders
- Yes
- Ship in state
- Yes
- Ship out of state
- No
- Sell to shops / cafés
- Limited
- Allowed foods
- Non-potentially hazardous foods such as baked goods without perishable icings or fillings, hot-filled jams/jellies/fruit butters from fruits with natural pH 4.6 or below, non-perishable candies, popcorn, nuts, whole roasted coffee beans. Not allowed: acidified/pickled foods, fermented foods, beverages, dairy, meat, homemade fudge/caramels, nut butters, sugar-free jams.
What a Maryland cottage food label must show
- Name and address of the cottage food business (or MDH unique ID number plus business name and phone number)
- Name of the cottage food product
- Ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order by weight
- Net weight, count, or net volume
- Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements
- Nutritional information per federal requirements if a health or nutritional claim is made
- The required statement (above)
- Retail store sales: phone number, email address, and date the product was made
Federal rules still apply on top: ingredients in descending order by weight (21 CFR 101.4), the nine major allergens declared by name (FALCPA and the FASTER Act), and net quantity in ounces and grams (21 CFR 101.7). Maryland allows cottage food orders online or by phone. Shipping within the state is allowed, and products may not cross state lines.
Make a Maryland label now
The Maryland statement is already on it. Type your ingredients, tick the allergens and print on Avery sheets or a thermal roll. To have the ingredient order and allergens worked out from a costed recipe, use the workbench.
Still missing: business name and address.
Print at 100% scale with no margins. Check the result against Maryland’s rules above before selling.
True size. Maryland statement at 10 pt minimum.
Maryland cottage food questions
What statement has to be on a Maryland cottage food label?
Maryland requires: “Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland’s food safety regulations” (Printed in 10 point or larger type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label. All labels must be in English).
Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Maryland?
No permit or registration for most baked goods. Cottage food businesses are not licensed. No license or health department review for direct sales. Sales to retail food stores require MDH review via the ID and Retail Sales Request Form (label plus proof of an ANSI/MDH-approved basic food safety course within the past 3 years) and a written compliance letter; no fee. Must follow county/municipal zoning and ordinances.
Is there a sales limit for cottage food in Maryland?
Yes: $100,000 in gross sales a year. $100,000 annual revenue from Oct. 1, 2026 (HB 535, Ch. 320); was $50,000 since Oct. 1, 2022. MDH guidelines (11/2025) still show $50,000.
Can I sell cottage food online or ship it in Maryland?
Maryland allows cottage food orders online or by phone. Shipping within the state is allowed, and products may not cross state lines.
Sources
- HB 535 (2026 RS), Chapter 320 - bill text and status (statute)
- MDH Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (updated 11/2025) (agency)
- MDH: Maryland Cottage Food Businesses (agency)
Checked October 18, 2026. This is a checklist built from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; your county or the agency has the final word. Spotted something out of date? The about page explains how we check.
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