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Montana Food Business Laws

mountain region · Pop. 1,132,812

Workable13 published categoriesLatest recorded review: June 18, 2026

Recorded review dates for 13 of 13 published categories. A review date is not a guarantee that requirements are current.

Published-category signalWorkable
Informational Only: This information is compiled from public sources for educational purposes and may not reflect the most recent changes. Verify all requirements with your state's regulatory agency before starting or operating a food business. This is not legal advice.

Cottage Food

Advantaged

Montana has two paths. Montana Local Food Choice Act (MLFCA): zero licensing, permits, registration, or training — but in-person sales only. Traditional Cottage Food: registration with local health authority, one-time $40 fee. Both have no revenue cap. 2021 amendments expanded allowed foods to include perishable items.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under either path. MLFCA: zero requirements but in-person only. Traditional: $40 one-time registration.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer-in-person

Canning & Preserves

Advantaged

Montana Food Freedom Act covers high-acid canned goods with minimal restrictions. No revenue cap, no permit. pH testing recommended for acidified foods but not mandated. Low-acid canning still prohibited for safety. One of the most permissive states for canning.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under Montana Food Freedom Act

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Honey

Advantaged

Montana Food Freedom Act makes honey virtually unrestricted. No revenue cap, no permit, no training. Apiary registration required. Online sales allowed. One of the most permissive states for beekeepers.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under Montana Food Freedom Act

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Montana Food Freedom Act covers specialty foods with minimal restrictions. No revenue cap, no permit, no training. Dried herbs, spice blends, tea blends, nut butters, and dry mixes all permitted. Online sales allowed. One of the most permissive states.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under Montana Food Freedom Act

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Montana requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $15 per product. Montana has low fees and a relatively simple process. AAFCO labeling compliance required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Advantaged

Montana Food Freedom Act allows fermented food sales direct-to-consumer. Sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented vegetables, and fermented hot sauce are permitted. Kombucha allowed if < 0.5% ABV. No revenue cap, no permit. Better Process Control training recommended. One of the best states for fermented food producers.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under Montana Food Freedom Act

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Food Freedom Laws

Advantaged

Montana's Local Food Choice Act (SB 199, 2021) exempts homemade food from licensing, permitting, and inspection for face-to-face, direct producer-to-end-consumer sales in-state. No income or gross-sales limit. Allows some TCS foods and poultry under the 1,000-bird on-farm exemption plus eggs. Red meat (Dept. of Livestock jurisdiction) is excluded.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No income or gross-sales limit (strictly direct, in-state)

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Montana has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Montana's cottage food law, which is very permissive (no revenue cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under either path. MLFCA: zero requirements but in-person only. Traditional: $40 one-time registration.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer-in-person

Farm Direct

Workable

Montana has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Montana's cottage food law, which is very permissive (no revenue cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap under either path. MLFCA: zero requirements but in-person only. Traditional: $40 one-time registration.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer-in-person

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Montana requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $15 per product. Low fees and relatively simple process. Complete & balanced products must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles. Commercial facility required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Montana requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Raw pet food requires pathogen testing and commercial facility. Annual license $30 plus $15 per product. Low fees. Montana's Food Freedom Act does NOT apply to raw pet food.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; pathogen testing required

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Supplements

Workable

Montana requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $15 per product. Low fees. Supplements regulated as animal feed. Montana has an active hemp program.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; low registration fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Workable

Montana requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $30 plus $15 per product. Low fees. Montana's Food Freedom Act may provide a pathway for home-based pet bakeries as it broadly covers food products sold direct-to-consumer, though applicability to pet food is not fully settled.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; Food Freedom Act may provide limited exemption

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesale

Pet Food Regulations for Montana

Commercial feed licensing, AAFCO compliance, fees, and feed control official contact

View Details

Business Formation in Montana

Review business-formation options and the recorded fees for Montana. Confirm current fees and obligations with the state filing office; forming an entity does not guarantee asset protection.

LLC Filing Fee

$35

Annual Fee

$20

Processing Estimate

~4 days

DBA Fee

$0

  • • Cheapest formation fee in the nation ($35)
  • • First-year total only $55
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Workable

Montana Public Signal

13 of 13 published categories assessed. An overall band requires every published category to be assessed.

Revenue-cap periods follow normalized display labels, not verified legal reset rules. Missing or unrecognized periods display as annual; confirm the applicable period with the regulator.

Cottage Food

Advantaged

Canning & Preserves

Advantaged

Honey

Advantaged

Specialty Foods

Advantaged

Pet Treats

Start Your Montana Food Business

Get your personalized compliance roadmap, startup cost estimate, and step-by-step launch guide.

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This is informational guidance, not legal advice. Always verify requirements with your state regulatory agency before selling food products.

farmers-market
trade-shows
public-events
community-social-events (MLFCA)

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried goods

jams

jellies

acidified foods

shelf-stable items

perishable items (2021 amendment)

poultry (fewer than 1,000 birds/year)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • cottage food operation name, address, city, state, zip
  • product name
  • ingredients in descending order by weight (sub-ingredients in parentheses)
  • net quantity
  • allergen information
  • home kitchen not subject to retail food establishment regulations/inspections disclaimer (11-pt+ font)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery
farm-stand

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

pickles (high-acid/acidified)

salsa (acidified)

chutney

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • pH testing recommended for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • net weight
  • nutrition facts

Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery
farm-stand

Recorded Products

raw honey

filtered honey

creamed honey

comb honey

infused honey

beeswax products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • product name (honey)
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts
  • allergens

Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116; Mont. Code Ann. § 80-6-101 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-instate
delivery
farm-stand

Recorded Products

dried herbs

spice blends

tea blends

dry mixes

seasoning packets

granola

trail mix

dried pasta

flavored salts

nut butters

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dog treats

cat treats

pet food

pet snacks

biscuits

chews

dehydrated treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list (AAFCO names)
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Mont. Code Ann. § 80-9-201 et seq. (Montana Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
online-instate
delivery
farm-stand

Recorded Products

sauerkraut

kimchi

fermented hot sauce

kombucha (< 0.5% ABV)

fermented pickles

fermented vegetables

tempeh

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a home kitchen disclaimer
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts
  • pH level
  • refrigeration instructions

Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
from-home

Recorded Products

baked goods

jams

pickles

fermented foods

some TCS foods

poultry (1,000-bird exemption)

eggs

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name and address
  • not inspected disclaimer

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • ingredients
  • allergens

Montana Local Food Choice Act, MCA §§ 50-49-201 et seq. (SB 199, 2021)

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
trade-shows
public-events
community-social-events (MLFCA)

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried goods

jams

jellies

acidified foods

shelf-stable items

perishable items (2021 amendment)

poultry (fewer than 1,000 birds/year)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • cottage food operation name, address, city, state, zip
  • product name
  • ingredients in descending order by weight (sub-ingredients in parentheses)
  • net quantity
  • allergen information
  • home kitchen not subject to retail food establishment regulations/inspections disclaimer (11-pt+ font)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
trade-shows
public-events
community-social-events (MLFCA)

Recorded Products

baked goods

dried goods

jams

jellies

acidified foods

shelf-stable items

perishable items (2021 amendment)

poultry (fewer than 1,000 birds/year)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • cottage food operation name, address, city, state, zip
  • product name
  • ingredients in descending order by weight (sub-ingredients in parentheses)
  • net quantity
  • allergen information
  • home kitchen not subject to retail food establishment regulations/inspections disclaimer (11-pt+ font)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Mont. Code Ann. § 50-50-116

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dry kibble

wet/canned food

semi-moist food

fresh refrigerated food

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names in descending order by weight
  • nutritional adequacy statement (formulation or feeding trial method)
  • feeding directions
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • AAFCO feeding trial statement
  • life stage designation

Mont. Code Ann. § 80-9-201 et seq. (Montana Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online

Recorded Products

raw frozen pet food

freeze-dried raw

dehydrated raw

raw bones

raw meaty bones

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation
  • safe handling instructions
  • storage and temperature requirements
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Mont. Code Ann. § 80-9-201 et seq. (Montana Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin)

probiotics

omega fatty acids

vitamins

minerals

digestive enzymes

calming supplements

hemp-derived CBD (under state program)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • directions for use/dosage
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • intended use statement

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • NASC quality seal
  • calorie content
  • caution/warning statements

Mont. Code Ann. § 80-9-201 et seq. (Montana Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
retail
online
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

baked dog biscuits

pet birthday cakes

frozen yogurt treats

peanut butter cookies

pumpkin treats

dehydrated treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • treat/snack designation
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • guaranteed analysis
  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Mont. Code Ann. § 80-9-201 et seq. (Montana Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Advantaged

Food Freedom Laws

Advantaged

Domestic Kitchen

Workable

Farm Direct

Workable

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Workable

Pet Bakery

Workable

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