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.
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.
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.
Unless the product is made and sold as cottage food, all pet food products distributed exclusively in packages of ten pounds or less must be registered. Identical products offered in multiple package sizes are considered a single product for registration purposes. Tonnage fees must be paid for pet food products that are not subject to product registration.
Unless the product is made and sold as cottage food, all pet food products distributed exclusively in packages of ten pounds or less must be registered. Identical products offered in multiple package sizes are considered a single product for registration purposes. Tonnage fees must be paid for pet food products that are not subject to product registration.
For the purposes of registration, products offered in multiple package sizes with similar packaging differing by net content, but with identical products (same formula, shape, size, color, and flavor), may be considered a single product.
For the purposes of registration, products offered in multiple package sizes with similar packaging differing by net content, but with identical products (same formula, shape, size, color, and flavor), may be considered a single product.
If a product is offered on a website, it is being offered into distribution in Minnesota, thereby requiring a license, along with registration or tonnage fee reporting. There are no additional requirements to sell your pet treats directly to consumers (in-person, online, through the mail, etc.) or to stores that will then resell them. However, if you choose to distribute your product in other states, you must determine each individual state’s requirements, as each state has its own set of feed regulations. Products registered as cottage food may be sold online, but they must either be picked up in person by the customer or personally delivered by the cottage food producer.
