Mississippi — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Mississippi: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Mississippi, under the Cottage Food Operation (Miss. Code Ann. 75-29-951). Sales are capped at $35,000/year. Here is exactly what that means.
Mississippi at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Operation (Miss. Code Ann. 75-29-951) |
| Annual sales cap | $35,000 |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
What foods are covered
non-potentially-hazardous only (baked goods without cream/custard/meat fillings, candy, jams/jellies, dried goods, granola, popcorn, acidified/pickled plant-based foods); no meat, dairy, beverages, or refrigerated foods
Permits and registration
No MSDH license, permit, or registration required; no routine inspections (complaint-based only); required label including 'Made in a Cottage Food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations'; internet advertising allowed but sales must be direct person-to-person in-state; local business license may still apply
Going legal in Mississippi: the plate-seller checklist
- Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
- Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
- Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
- Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
- Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.
Sources and verification
Verified 2026-07 against: msdh.ms.gov · msdh.ms.gov · forrager.com · ij.org. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to sell food from home in Mississippi?
Yes — under Cottage Food Operation (Miss. Code Ann. 75-29-951), with an annual sales cap of $35,000. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Mississippi's cottage food law?
$35,000 per year under the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Mississippi?
No MSDH license, permit, or registration required; no routine inspections (complaint-based only); required label including 'Made in a Cottage Food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations'; internet advertising allowed but sales must be direct person