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Food Industry Licenses

Food Industry Licenses

In Michigan, the Food Law requires that almost anyone processing, storing, or selling food or drink to the public needs a license. There are some exemptions that allow a business to make or sell food with a license, but all other federal, state, and local laws and zoning ordinances must be followed. Most license-exempt businesses are subject to inspection by MDARD or by local health departments to ensure food safety and compliance.

The type of license (and who manages the license) depends on where you are selling it, what type of food you are selling, and whether that product is sold for consumption as part of food service or retail.

  • Refrigerated shelves stocked with fresh and frozen food at a supermarket

    Food Establishment License

    Required for places that sell, store, or manufacture food: Retail grocery store, gas station, convenience store, retail bakery, food warehouse, cold storage facility.

    Licensed by MDARD.

  • A pub room during daytime.

    Food Service License

    Required for places that serve food to be immediately consumed: Restaurant, cafeteria, food truck, trailer, tent, commissary.

    Licensed by local health departments.

  • Dairy Industry

    Dairy Licenses and Permits

    Required for producers, haulers, warehouses/distributors, receiving stations, and others.

    Licensed by MDARD.

  • Nighttime view of a brightly colored ferris wheel lit up

    County Fairs

    Food vendors often need a transitory food license or a temporary food license. Learn more here.
  • Brightly colored vegetables ready for sale at a farmers market: cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatoes and peas.

    Farmers Markets

    Existing Michigan food establishment licenses extend to the market. On-site licenses are needed for demos, processing, and certain other vendors.
  • Rows of bottled water before selling

    Bottled Water License

    Required for bottled water manufacturers, water dispensing machines, and firms selling bottled water
  • Chickens free feeding in a field

    Shell Egg Processor License

    Required for anyone who cleans, candles, grades, sorts, or packs eggs for sale

Offsite Extensions: No extra license needed

A current license can be extended offsite in these circumstances:

  • Temporary site: A licensed restaurant does not need a separate license for a temporary site if its own employees transport and serve the food there without doing any extra food preparation.
  • Farmers Market or Fair: A licensed food business does not need a separate license to sell its prepackaged food at a farmers market, fair, or festival if its own employees transport and sell the items.
  • Prepackaged Food in Vending Machines: A licensed food business does not need a separate license for its vending machines if its own employees transport the prepackaged food and maintain the machines.
 

Who is exempt from a license?

Any food business that does not fit into the defined exemptions provided in sections 4102, 4105, or other food law sections must be licensed. The following firms do not require a food establishment license but are still subject to inspection by MDARD or local agencies. It's a good idea to call MDARD at 1-800-292-3939 to verify if you think you are exempt from a food establishment license.

  • Cottage food operations

    A cottage food operation that sells allowable, properly labeled home-made food directly to Michigan consumers, does not need a license as long as it is never sold wholesale or on consignment and does not exceed gross sales limits. Become a cottage food operation.

  • Businesses already licensed under another law

    Businesses already licensed under certain Michigan laws (Grain dealers, certain farm product acts, Grade A milk law, Manufacturing milk law, Michigan blind and visually disabled persons act) do not need another license. Learn more about other acts that might cover your firm.

  • Only whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables

    People offering only whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables directly to consumers do not need a license.

  • Nonprofit groups from regulated sources

    Consumer nonprofit groups providing food from regulated sources only for their own members (not the public) do not need a license. Nonprofit grower or producer cooperatives selling only unprocessed products of their own production from regulated sources do not need a license.

  • Honey and maple syrup from licensed facilities

    Retailers selling their own prepackaged honey or maple syrup, if it’s made in Michigan, you run your retail shop, and your processing facility is licensed, do not need an additional license. Learn more about selling maple syrup and honey.

  • Honey and maple syrup under cottage food exemptions

    Honey or maple syrup retail sellers or processing facilities with gross sales that do not exceed the limitation for cottage food products do not need a license. Learn about cottage food exemption limits.

  • Temporary food stands

    Temporary food stands with no food preparation using only single‑use items and selling only safe, non‑hazardous foods do not need a license. Examples include beer tents, soft drink stands, or snack bars at school sporting events.

  • Prepackaged food in incidental amounts

    Retail stores that only sell prepackaged, non‑potentially hazardous foods in incidental amounts do not need a license. Examples of exempt firms may include a hardware store, sporting goods store, or toy store selling only packaged food that doesn't require refrigeration.

  • Ice cream trucks selling prepackaged frozen treats

    Mobile trucks, like ice‑cream trucks, selling only prepackaged frozen treats do not need a license.

  • Closed event with limited food for advertising

    A private food industry trade association event that is closed to the public and only prepares limited food for advertising, display, or sampling does not need a license.

  • Fishing guides for a small group

    Commercial fishing guides serving food to less than 12 clients do not need a license.

  • Vending machine for packaged foods and drinks

    A vending machine that only dispenses canned or bottled sodas, packaged nonperishable snacks, or bulk items like gum, nuts, and candy does not need a license.

  • Emergency operations

    Emergency or disaster feeding operations do not require a license.

  • Warehouse storing your own uncut fruits and vegetables

    A warehouse or processing facility does not need a license if you only store, wash, sort, pack, and chill uncut fruits or vegetables primarily grown by you, as long as any added produce is similar to yours and the food does not require temperature control for safety.

  • Small scale egg producers

    Producers that sell eggs if you raise fewer than 3,000 hens, only sell them directly to consumers or first-stage egg handlers, avoid all internet, mail-order, and consignment sales, and properly label every container do not need a license.