Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026

Dried Goods

Dehydrated produce, granola, pasta and dry mixes: low-risk shelf-stable foods you can make at home.

Cottage Food Eligible

YesWhat's covered

  • Dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, whole or sliced
  • Granola, dry baking mixes, dry soup and dip mixes, instant bread mixes
  • Dried pasta made with or without eggs
  • Freeze-dried candy, using a commercial freeze dryer run to completion

NoNeeds a different path

  • Dehydrated or freeze-dried melon, tomato or leafy greens; cut tomatoes
  • Freeze-dried or dehydrated sourdough starter
  • Freeze-dried dairy or anything needing refrigeration first, such as ice cream
  • Jerky and any dehydrated meat or fish

Three compliance steps

  1. A

    Confirm the food is on the allowed side

    Dehydrated fruit and vegetable chips qualify, except melon, tomato and leafy greens. Meat, fish and dairy never qualify.

  2. B

    Package and label

    Prepackage and label with business name, product name, ingredients by weight, net weight, allergens and the cottage statement in 11-point type.

  3. C

    Sell within the rules

    Direct, online or third-party delivery inside Michigan only. No wholesale or consignment. Stay under the cap.

Quick reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Dried fruit and vegetablesAllowed; excludes melon, tomato, leafy greensMDARD
Granola and dry mixesAllowedMDARD
Dried pastaAllowed with or without eggs; fresh pasta not allowedMDARD
Freeze-dried candyAllowed if freeze-dried to completion in a commercial dryerMDARD
Jerky, dried meatNot allowed: meat is a time and temperature control foodMDARD
Sales taxUnprepared packaged food generally exemptMI Treasury

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze-dry fruit in my home unit?

MDARD's page speaks of a commercial freeze dryer run to completion for candy and raw fruit. Ask MDARD before using a consumer model.

Can I sell dried mushrooms here?

Yes, cultivated or properly identified wild mushrooms, raw or dried. See the Mushrooms poster.

Can I sell dried herbs?

Yes, dry herbs and dry herb mixtures are allowed. See Herbs & Spices.

Printable checklist