Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026
Canned Goods
Home canning does not qualify for the cottage exemption: low-acid and acidified foods need a licensed process.
Licensed Facility Required- 0Canned foods under cottage law
- pH 4.6Acidified vs low-acid dividing line
- 21 CFR 113/114FDA canning rules
- Apr 30MDARD license expiry
YesWhat's covered
- Commercially processed canned goods made in a licensed MDARD facility
- Acidified foods (pickles, relish) with a scheduled process from a process authority
- Retail sale after FDA registration and process filing where required
- Fruit jams and jellies under cottage law (see Preserves)
NoNeeds a different path
- Canned fruits or vegetables, salsa, pickles, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables
- Fruit and vegetable butters such as apple or pumpkin butter
- Sauces, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, hummus
- Any product sold on a home-canning recipe without a process review
Three compliance steps
- A
Identify the product class
Foods above pH 4.6 are low-acid; adding acid makes them acidified. Both are regulated, and MDARD warns pickled and acidified foods carry botulism risk.
- B
Obtain a process authority review
FDA expects a scheduled process from a qualified authority, with the process filed and the facility registered under 21 CFR 108, 113 and 114.
- C
License the facility and label
Hold an MDARD food establishment license, renew each April 30, and label to FDA rules with ingredients and allergens.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Canned fruits, vegetables | Not cottage; licensed facility required | MDARD |
| Pickles, relish, sauerkraut | Not cottage; acidified food rules | MDARD / FDA |
| Salsa, sauces, condiments | Not cottage; license required | MDARD |
| Low-acid foods (pH above 4.6) | Thermal process under 21 CFR 113; process filing | FDA |
| Acidified foods | 21 CFR 114; process authority scheduled process | FDA |
| License renewal | All food establishment licenses expire April 30 | MDARD |
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell jars from my home canning recipe?
No. MDARD lists canned fruits, vegetables, salsa and pickled products as not allowed under the cottage exemption.
Is jam different?
Yes. Fruit jams and jellies meeting 21 CFR 150 are allowed as cottage food. See the Preserves poster.
Do I need FDA registration?
Federal canning rules require facility registration and process filing for commercial low-acid and acidified foods.
Printable checklist
- Measure finished pH and water activity
- Classify as low-acid, acidified or neither
- Hire a process authority and keep the scheduled process
- Register facility and file process with FDA
- Apply for MDARD food establishment license
- Print ingredient and allergen labels
- Keep batch and sterilization records