Do you need a license to sell honey in Maine?

In most cases you can sell pure honey from your own bees in Maine without a food license.

Raw honey for in-state sale is exempt from permit and inspection when labeled with the required statement. The Food Sovereignty Act also allows unlicensed home sales under municipal ordinances.

What your Maine honey label must include

Start with the federal basics that apply in every state:

  • The word "Honey" (you can name the floral source, like "Wildflower Honey", if it is the main source)
  • Net weight in both US and metric, in the bottom 30 percent of the front label
  • Your name and address
  • No ingredient list is needed for pure honey; add one the moment you add anything

Then, for Maine: "Raw honey is not produced under license or inspected by the State of Maine and is not intended for sale outside of the State." (exact statutory wording).

For the full federal rules, including when a nutrition panel is required, see our honey labeling requirements guide.

The official Maine source

These rules are set by Maine Dept of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF). This reflects their published guidance; still confirm the current details before printing.

Read the official Maine guidance.

Quick checklist for Maine

  • The word "Honey"
  • Net weight in US and metric, bottom 30 percent of the front
  • Your name and address
  • The Maine statement or disclaimer described above
  • Optional but recommended: "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age"