Updated for 2025

Montana Cottage Food
Label Requirements

Scale your Montana food business with no revenue cap.

Stop guessing. Generate FDA-compliant labels that automatically handle mandatory Montana legal disclaimers, font sizes, and privacy rules.

Regulated by: Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) / Local Health Authorities

MT COMPLIANT

Artisan Sourdough

NET WT 16oz (454g)

INGREDIENTS: FLOUR (WHEAT), WATER, SALT, YEAST.

Contains: Wheat.

Required Montana Disclaimer:

"Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections."

My Bakery Name
1234 Main St, Montana

At a Glance: Montana Rules

The key constraints for your cottage food business.

Registration Cost

Registration Required (Fees vary by local authority).

Annual Sales Limit

Unlimited

Where can you sell?

Online: Yes (Advertising only)
Shipping: No
Wholesale: No

Typically Allowed

Cakes/Cookies dried fruits (must meet temp requirements) jams/jellies.

Usually Prohibited

Meat jerky cheesecakes pickles/fermented foods (without variance) pumpkin butter.
6.5 / 10

Regulatory Freedom Score

Moderate

Montana has a Moderate Freedom Score (6.5/10). It strikes a balance with Unlimited, though some restrictions apply. However, it requires a physical home address on all public labels.

Address Privacy

Official Rule

Physical address only (P.O. Boxes prohibited).

Your full physical home address must appear on every product label.

The "Verbatim" Trap

To sell legally in Montana, your label must include specific phrasing exactly as written in the statute.

[Standard]

"Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections."

*Peppery auto-inserts this text.

State Constraints

Applies to Registered Cottage Food Operations. MLFCA operations use placards.

Legal Disclaimer & Scope
  • State vs. Local: This guide covers Montana state-level regulations only. Your local county or municipality may have stricter zoning, business licensing, or health ordinances.
  • Tool Nature: Peppery is an automated compliance tool, not a law firm. This page provides information, not legal advice.
  • Verification: Regulations change. Always verify specific labeling requirements with your local health authority before printing or selling.

Technical Checklist

Every requirement for Montana compliance.

Business Name Legal operator name required.
Product Name Common name required.
Ingredients Descending by weight (including sub-ingredients)
Note: Sub-ingredients mandatory in parenthetical format (e.g., Butter (milk, salt)).
Allergens FALCPA.
Font Size Federal Standard (1/16 inch) minimum height.
Net Quantity Must be listed in both Imperial (oz) and Metric (g) units.
Contrast High contrast required (e.g., Black text on White background).
Specifics Conspicuously placed on the principal label.

Don't memorize this.

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Auto-Generate Label
Why Makers Choose Us

"The Montana labeling laws are incredibly confusing regarding font sizes. Peppery's auto-formatting saved me hours of reading statutes."

MT

Home Baker in Montana

Verified User

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montana cottage food laws.

What foods can I sell from home in Montana?

Yes, Montana allows specific cottage foods, but only if they are non-TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) and meet strict labeling requirements. Common approvals include Cakes/Cookies, dried fruits (must meet temp requirements), jams/jellies., but specific pH testing may be required for acidified foods. Use our free analysis tool to verify your recipe's compliance.

What is the sales limit for cottage food in Montana?

The cap is Unlimited annually for direct sales. However, calculating this limit can vary based on gross vs. net sales revenue definitions in Montana statutes. See our guide for tracking compliance.

Can I sell cottage food online in Montana?

Online sales regulations in Montana are complex. Online: Yes (Advertising only). Shipping: No. Wholesale: No. However, shipping across state lines is generally prohibited. Check our guide for specific delivery zone restrictions.

What are the cottage food label requirements for Montana?

Labels in Montana generally require: 1) Name of the product, 2) Producer Name and Address, 3) Ingredients listed by weight, 4) Net Quantity (Dual Units), and 5) The mandatory disclaimer statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections.'.

Can I hide my home address on labels in Montana?

No. Currently, Montana cottage food laws require the physical address of the kitchen to be listed on the label. P.O. Boxes are typically not accepted.