Massachusetts Cottage Food Laws

Massachusetts asks more of you up front (inspection, permit) but gives you a real licensed operation in return, including wholesale rights.

Fast facts

Permit
Residential kitchen permit + inspection required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Limited

What makes Massachusetts different

  • Massachusetts has no cottage food exemption — you get a residential kitchen permit
  • That includes a local board of health inspection and often a state food establishment registration
  • Once permitted, you can sell wholesale, which most cottage food states forbid

Where you can sell in Massachusetts

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Wholesale
  • Retail

What you can and can't make

Massachusetts follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Massachusetts Department of Public Health / local boards of health product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Massachusetts labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Public Health / local boards of health administers cottage food rules in Massachusetts.

Last verified:

Visit Massachusetts Department of Public Health / local boards of health

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Massachusetts Department of Public Health / local boards of health before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states