Cottage food producer food safety training

• This course is required for all tier 2 cottage foods producers and must be renewed every 3 years.
• The course fee is $50. 
• After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion, and then you will register or renew your cottage foods registration with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

The Cottage Foods Producer Food Safety Training is approved to meet the tier 2 training requirement of the Cottage Foods Exemption law and the Home-processed Pet Treats Exemption. The course applies the rules from the law and safe food handling practices that will help you make and sell safe cottage food products in Minnesota.

Course topics

• Foodborne illness and pathogens of concern.
• Type of foods allowed and not allowed.
• Food safety controls for use in food preservation and food preparation. 
• Safe food handling practices.
• A thorough sanitation routine.
• Packaging and labeling requirements and best practices.
• Food safety during the sale of cottage foods.

Tier 2 cottage foods producers must complete this course before registering with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and renew this training every 3 years.

Tier 1 cottage foods producers who want more in-depth food safety training can enroll in and complete the course, but it is not required. Tier 1 cottage foods producers can complete a training course through the MDA. Visit the MDA cottage foods web page for more information.

About the course

This cottage foods producer food safety training is an online, self-paced course. You can start, stop, and return to the course as often as you like. You will have access to the course for at least 12 months.

There are no refunds for course registration even if you change your mind about being a tier 2 producer or if you do not complete the course before your access period ends.

If you experience difficulties logging into the course, contact the University of Minnesota IT Help Line at 612-301-4357 or HELP@umn.edu. 

At this time, the cottage foods producer food safety training is offered in English. The course is accessible to screen readers. If you need a print (paper) version of this course, please contact the Extension food safety team at exfdsafe@umn.edu.

Register using the link at the bottom of this page.

Accessing your certification of completion

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. The certificate will include your name, course title, and the date you completed the course. Download, save, and print a copy of your certificate. Once the course closes, you will no longer have online access to your certificate. 

If you experience difficulties accessing your certificate of completion, contact Extension Learning Technologies at ext-reg@umn.edu. 

Registering with the MDA

After completing the course, you will register or renew your cottage foods registration with the MDA. Visit the MDA cottage foods web page and select the initial registration application portal or the renewal portal on the right side of the page. 

It may take 3 to 4 weeks for the MDA to process your application. Your registration card will be mailed to you within one week of processing. You can check your registration status by searching the MDA’s Licensing Information Search. Enter your name and county and select “Cottage Food Producer Registration” in the License Type to refine the search results. You may begin selling your cottage food products once your name is listed.

If your application has not yet been processed, your name will not be listed in the system. If it has been over 4 weeks since you submitted your application, contact the MDA at MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us or 651-201-6081. 

UMN Extension does not manage the MDA registration process, and cannot assist with submitting applications or checking application status.