Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026

Honey

Honey and maple syrup sit outside the cottage law with their own license exemption.

Farm Exempt (Honey and Maple)

YesWhat's covered

  • Producer-run retail outlets and processing facilities for honey and maple syrup
  • Wholesale to grocery stores and other retailers
  • Flavored honey under the cottage exemption
  • Retail sale in Michigan with compliant labels

NoNeeds a different path

  • Selling above the exemption limit without a food license
  • Skipping sanitation, building and hygiene rules of the Food Law
  • Honey products with health claims
  • Facilities that do not meet basic processing requirements

Three compliance steps

  1. A

    Confirm the exemption

    Producers selling up to $50,000 a year of honey or maple syrup ($75,000 if priced at $250+ a unit) are exempt from licensing.

  2. B

    Meet Food Law basics

    Exempt does not mean unregulated: sanitation, building design and employee hygiene rules still apply.

  3. C

    Print the facility statement

    Label as 'Processed in a facility not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development' along with name, address, ingredients and net weight.

Quick reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Honey and maple exemptionUp to $50,000 gross; $75,000 for $250+ per unitMDARD
WholesaleAllowed to retailers if labeled correctlyMDARD
Label statementProcessed in a facility not inspected by MDARDMDARD
Flavored honey and maple syrupAllowed under cottage exemptionMDARD
Sanitation and hygieneFood Law requirements still applyMDARD
Sales taxUnprepared food generally exemptMI Treasury

Frequently asked questions

Is honey a cottage food?

No. MDARD says honey and maple syrup have a separate licensing exemption.

Why do some sources say a lower limit?

An earlier summary of SB 93 cited $25,000. MDARD's current page states $50,000, so this poster follows MDARD.

Can I sell to a grocery store?

Yes. Exempt producers may wholesale as long as labels are correct.

Printable checklist