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MD

Maryland Food Business Laws

northeast region · Pop. 6,180,253

Limited13 published categoriesLatest recorded review: June 18, 2026

Recorded review dates for 13 of 13 published categories. A review date is not a guarantee that requirements are current.

Published-category signalLimited
Informational Only: This information is compiled from public sources for educational purposes and may not reflect the most recent changes. Verify all requirements with your state's regulatory agency before starting or operating a food business. This is not legal advice.

Cottage Food

Workable

Maryland has a $50,000/year cap (doubled from $25,000 in 2022). No permit/fees/inspection for direct-to-consumer sales. For retail store sales: ANSI food safety course required, labels must be submitted to health department for review. Refrigerated baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies) allowed starting October 2025. Can use state-issued ID number instead of home address on labels.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year cap (doubled from $25,000 in 2022)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

from-residence

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Maryland allows high-acid canned goods under cottage food up to $50,000/year. Permit, food safety training, and pH testing required. Online sales allowed. Low-acid canning prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Workable

Maryland allows honey under cottage food up to $50,000/year. Apiary registration required. Permit and food safety training required. Honey specifically listed as permitted. Online sales allowed.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Specialty Foods

Workable

Maryland allows specialty dry goods under cottage food up to $50,000/year. Permit and food safety training required. Dried herbs, spice blends, and granola permitted. Online sales allowed. Nut butters and infused oils prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year gross revenue cap

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Maryland requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, State Chemist Section. Annual license $75 plus $35 per product. Tonnage inspection fees apply. AAFCO-compliant labels mandatory.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Maryland does not permit fermented foods under its cottage food law. All fermented products are considered potentially hazardous. Commercial food processing license required.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

Fermented foods not permitted under cottage food law

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Label Requirements

  • N/A — fermented foods not permitted under cottage food

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

Maryland has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Maryland's cottage food law, which is permissive (a $50,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year cap (doubled from $25,000 in 2022)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

from-residencefarmers-market

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Maryland has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Maryland's cottage food law, which is permissive (a $50,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year cap (doubled from $25,000 in 2022)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

from-residencefarmers-market

Farm Direct

Limited

Maryland has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Maryland's cottage food law, which is permissive (a $50,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$50,000 / year

$50,000/year cap (doubled from $25,000 in 2022)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

from-residencefarmers-market

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Maryland requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture, State Chemist Section. Annual license $75 plus $35 per product. Tonnage inspection fees apply. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles. Commercial facility required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Maryland is one of the most restrictive states for raw pet food. The state has proposed additional restrictions specifically targeting raw pet food products. Annual license $75 plus $35 per product. Mandatory pathogen testing with strict tolerance levels. Commercial facility with HACCP plan required. Tonnage inspection fees apply.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; proposed additional raw pet food restrictions

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesale

Pet Supplements

Limited

Maryland requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture, State Chemist Section. Annual license $75 plus $35 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. Strict enforcement on supplement claims. CBD pet supplements subject to additional scrutiny.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Limited

Maryland requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $75 plus $35 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. No cottage exemption for pet treats.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Food Regulations for Maryland

Commercial feed licensing, AAFCO compliance, fees, and feed control official contact

View Details

Business Formation in Maryland

Review business-formation options and the recorded fees for Maryland. Confirm current fees and obligations with the state filing office; forming an entity does not guarantee asset protection.

LLC Filing Fee

$100

Annual Fee

$300

Processing Estimate

~7 days

DBA Fee

$25

  • • High annual report fee ($300)
  • • Online filing automatically charged expedited rate ($150 vs $100 by mail)
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Limited

Maryland Public Signal

13 of 13 published categories assessed. An overall band requires every published category to be assessed.

Revenue-cap periods follow normalized display labels, not verified legal reset rules. Missing or unrecognized periods display as annual; confirm the applicable period with the regulator.

Cottage Food

Workable

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Honey

Workable

Specialty Foods

Workable

Pet Treats

Start Your Maryland Food Business

Get your personalized compliance roadmap, startup cost estimate, and step-by-step launch guide.

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This is informational guidance, not legal advice. Always verify requirements with your state regulatory agency before selling food products.

farmers-market
public-events
personal-delivery
mail-delivery
retail-food-stores

Recorded Products

non-perishable baked goods

hard candy

jams/jellies (pH ≤ 4.6)

unflavored honey

granola

dry mixes

nuts

candies/confections

fruit butters/spreads

refrigerated baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies — October 2025)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • business name and address (or state-issued ID number)
  • cottage food business not subject to Maryland food safety regulations disclaimer
  • full ingredient list
  • allergen declarations

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

pickles (high-acid/acidified)

salsa (acidified)

chutney

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • net weight
  • pH testing required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • date produced

Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

Recorded Products

raw honey

filtered honey

creamed honey

comb honey

infused honey

beeswax products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • product name (honey)
  • net weight
  • ingredients (if infused)
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts
  • date produced

Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330; Md. Code Ann. Agric. § 5-501 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate

Recorded Products

dried herbs

spice blends

tea blends

dry mixes

seasoning packets

granola

trail mix

dried pasta

flavored salts

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • date produced

Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dog treats

cat treats

pet food

pet snacks

biscuits

chews

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list (AAFCO names)
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 6-101 et seq. (Maryland Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330 (fermented foods not listed as permitted)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
public-events
personal-delivery
mail-delivery
retail-food-stores

Recorded Products

non-perishable baked goods

hard candy

jams/jellies (pH ≤ 4.6)

unflavored honey

granola

dry mixes

nuts

candies/confections

fruit butters/spreads

refrigerated baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies — October 2025)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • business name and address (or state-issued ID number)
  • cottage food business not subject to Maryland food safety regulations disclaimer
  • full ingredient list
  • allergen declarations

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
public-events
personal-delivery
mail-delivery
retail-food-stores

Recorded Products

non-perishable baked goods

hard candy

jams/jellies (pH ≤ 4.6)

unflavored honey

granola

dry mixes

nuts

candies/confections

fruit butters/spreads

refrigerated baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies — October 2025)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • business name and address (or state-issued ID number)
  • cottage food business not subject to Maryland food safety regulations disclaimer
  • full ingredient list
  • allergen declarations

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
public-events
personal-delivery
mail-delivery
retail-food-stores

Recorded Products

non-perishable baked goods

hard candy

jams/jellies (pH ≤ 4.6)

unflavored honey

granola

dry mixes

nuts

candies/confections

fruit butters/spreads

refrigerated baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies — October 2025)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • business name and address (or state-issued ID number)
  • cottage food business not subject to Maryland food safety regulations disclaimer
  • full ingredient list
  • allergen declarations

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Md. Code Ann. Health-Gen. § 21-330

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dry kibble

wet/canned food

semi-moist food

fresh refrigerated food

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names in descending order by weight
  • nutritional adequacy statement (formulation or feeding trial method)
  • feeding directions
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • life stage designation

Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 6-101 et seq. (Maryland Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
retail
online

Recorded Products

raw frozen pet food

freeze-dried raw

dehydrated raw

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation
  • safe handling instructions
  • storage and temperature requirements
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions
  • pathogen testing results

Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 6-101 et seq. (Maryland Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin)

probiotics

omega fatty acids

vitamins

minerals

digestive enzymes

calming supplements

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • directions for use/dosage
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • intended use statement

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • NASC quality seal
  • calorie content
  • caution/warning statements

Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 6-101 et seq. (Maryland Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

baked dog biscuits

pet birthday cakes

frozen yogurt treats

peanut butter cookies

pumpkin treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • treat/snack designation
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • guaranteed analysis
  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 6-101 et seq. (Maryland Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Limited

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Farm Direct

Limited

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Limited

Pet Bakery

Limited

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