Food Sales
Processing and Selling Value-added Foods
All products sold in Maryland must at a minimum be labeled with the name and address of the producer or distributor, a quantity
statement (count, fluid measurement or net weight depending on the product), the identity of the product, the ingredients listed in descending order of prominence by weight. The requirements listed only address food safety requirements and licensure requirements. Local and state zoning, waste disposal and other laws may apply. Instead of obtaining the license(s) to process the value added products, a farmer can have them processed at a licensed facility and returned to the farm for sales.
Guide to processing and selling value-added foods
Primary Contacts:
Maryland Department of Health Requirements –(410)767-8400
Maryland Department of Agriculture Requirements – (410) 841-5769
For questions or e-mail inquiries – [email protected]
Cottage Food Business Requirements
A cottage food business is one that produces or packages cottage food products in a residential kitchen with annual revenues from the sale of those products not exceeding $25,000. Cottage Food Businesses are not required to be licensed by local and state health departments. Cottage food products must be stored on the premises of the cottage food business, may be offered for sale only at a farmer’s market or public event, and must be prepackaged with a label containing specific information.
Learn more from the Maryland Department of Health.
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years, aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.
Are You Serving or Sampling Food?
Permits are required from state and county health departments. Contact the Arundel Ag team below or the Anne Arundel County Health Department to find out which permits/licenses you are required to obtain.
Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
Tel: (410) 222-7192