Jams and Jellies
June 4, 2024 - Katje Armentrout, Michigan State University Extension
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Key Information
Fruit jams and/or jellies (and other non-potentially hazardous foods) that do not require time and/or temperature control for safety can be produced in a home kitchen and can be sold at a farmers market, bake sales, or direct-to-customers under the Michigan Cottage Food Law Guidelines. No certification or licensing is required. However, if gross annual sales for fruit jams and/or jellies are more than $25,000, they can no longer be sold under the Michigan Cottage Food Law and must be produced in a commercial kitchen under licensing by MDARD or a local health department.
Any jams and/or jellies made from vegetables (e.g., hot pepper jelly) are not allowed to be sold under the Michigan Cottage Food Law Guidelines due to increased risk to botulism. These recipes must be produced in a commercial kitchen under licensing by MDARD or a local health department.
Additionally, any jams and/or jellies sold online or at retail establishments require licensing and product testing to ensure shelf-stability.
Regulatory Body and Contact Information
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD): (800) 292-3939
Helpful Links
- MSU Extension
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
- Local Health Department
Articles
- Preserve low- and no-sugar jams and jellies
- It is jamming jelly time
- So You Want to Sell Sauces, Condiments, Salsas, or Hot Pepper Jam?
- Converting a Kitchen recipe to a Commercial Formula
- Is my food product safe on the shelf?
Important Note
All food and beverage products (even similar items) may have different regulations depending on what ingredients are used, the location or facility in which it is being produced, the packaging materials used, the distribution or shipping methods, as well as a variety of others. Licensing and regulation for food and beverage production in Michigan is administered by Local Health Departments, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), local zoning regulations, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
To guide you through the process of launching your food or beverage business, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s Product Center is an organization that brings together on-campus expertise in the sectors of food, agriculture, and natural resources to help entrepreneurs define and launch innovative products. Field-based innovation counselors advise entrepreneurs on a variety of services, including business planning, packaging and labeling rules, licensing and regulatory requirements, marketing, branding, distribution, product testing, and other product development needs.
To access business development assistance from the MSU Product Center staff, select the “Become a Client” button on the MSU Product Center website. There is a $100 application fee to join, which grants clients access to unlimited counseling hours. We also ask that clients sign a confidentiality agreement to protect their information.
If you have specific questions about how your product will be regulated, you may reach out to your Local Health Department or the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
