Do you need a license to sell honey in Montana?

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

Local Food Choice Act (SB 199, 2021). Raw honey sold direct needs no license, permit, inspection or training, and has no cap.

What your Montana 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 Montana: Raw honey as a raw agricultural product needs identity ("honey"), producer contact and net weight; no separate not-inspected line is mandated for raw honey. Under the Local Food Choice Act, homemade foods must inform the buyer they are not licensed or inspected.

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

The official Montana source

These rules are set by Montana Dept of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS). This reflects their published guidance; still confirm the current details before printing.

Read the official Montana guidance.

Quick checklist for Montana

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