A commercial kitchen is not required to manufacture pet food in Minnesota. Pet food can be manufactured within the home if the food is manufactured in such a way that it remains safe.
Am I required to have a commercial kitchen to manufacture pet food?
A commercial kitchen is not required to manufacture pet food in Minnesota. Pet food can be manufactured within the home if the food is manufactured in such a way that it remains safe.
If you manufacture, distribute, or your name appears on the label of a pet treat as the guarantor of the product, you need to have a Minnesota Commercial Feed License or operate within the Cottage Food Exemption.
Do I need a license to sell my homeade pet treats out of my home, at the farmers market, craft shows, or local stores?
If you manufacture, distribute, or your name appears on the label of a pet treat as the guarantor of the product, you need to have a Minnesota Commercial Feed License or operate within the Cottage Food Exemption.
Pet treats may be made and sold under the cottage food exemption program, the commercial feed program, or both programs, when the product meets the requirements of each respective program. Products that are sold under the cottage food law can also be labeled to meet the criteria for products sold under a commercial feed license. However, most products sold under a commercial feed license will not meet the basic requirements to be sold under the cottage food exemption. If you are planning to transition from operating under a cottage food exemption to operating under a commercial feed license or alternatively, the other way around, you will need to make sure you remain fully compliant with the requirements of each program during the period of transition.
I sell pet treats under the cottage food exemption, but I would like to begin selling certain items in retail pet food stores, as well. Can I sell the same product as both a cottage food and as a licensed and registered product?
Pet treats may be made and sold under the cottage food exemption program, the commercial feed program, or both programs, when the product meets the requirements of each respective program. Products that are sold under the cottage food law can also be labeled to meet the criteria for products sold under a commercial feed license. However, most products sold under a commercial feed license will not meet the basic requirements to be sold under the cottage food exemption. If you are planning to transition from operating under a cottage food exemption to operating under a commercial feed license or alternatively, the other way around, you will need to make sure you remain fully compliant with the requirements of each program during the period of transition.
Certain pet products such as bones, hides, and chews are exempt from license requirements, and therefore registration or tonnage requirements, when the product type and label meet the criteria detailed in the Exempt Product Policy. Pet treats that supply calories do not qualify.
What products are exempt from licensing and product registration requirements?
Certain pet products such as bones, hides, and chews are exempt from license requirements, and therefore registration or tonnage requirements, when the product type and label meet the criteria detailed in the Exempt Product Policy. Pet treats that supply calories do not qualify.
