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Massachusetts's Cottage Food Law

Massachusetts allows cottage food production under its home food manufacturing law, which permits individuals to prepare and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from a licensed home kitchen. To qualify, you must operate out of your primary residence and obtain the required permit from your local board of health. The law covers baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and other shelf-stable items that don't require refrigeration to stay safe.

You can sell your products directly to consumers through farmers markets, farm stands, roadside stands, fairs, and your own home. Online orders are permitted, which means you can take orders through a website or social media. However, shipping is not allowed, so all sales must involve in-person pickup or delivery you handle yourself. You cannot sell through retail stores or third-party platforms that ship on your behalf.

Massachusetts has no annual revenue cap, which gives your business real room to grow. You do need a Home Food Manufacturing Permit from your local board of health before you start selling, and your kitchen may be subject to inspection. Each municipality handles permitting slightly differently, so check with your local board early. That local connection is manageable, and once you're permitted, there's no ceiling on what you can earn.

Quick Summary

Massachusetts cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candy and confections
  • •Dry herbs and herb blends
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Granola and cereal mixes

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Seafood products
  • •Items requiring refrigeration
  • •Dairy-based products requiring temperature control
  • •Custard or cream-filled pastries
  • •Canned low-acid vegetables

Sales limit: $1,000 per year

Annual Limit

$1,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Not Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candy and confections
  • ✓Dry herbs and herb blends
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Granola and cereal mixes
  • ✓Honey
  • ✓Fruit pies and fruit empanadas

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Seafood products
  • ✗Items requiring refrigeration
  • ✗Dairy-based products requiring temperature control
  • ✗Custard or cream-filled pastries
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Fermented foods not classified as shelf-stable

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's full name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • ✓Major food allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or volume
  • ✓Statement that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state or local health department

Starting a Home Bakery in Massachusetts

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Massachusetts home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps Massachusetts bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Massachusetts Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the Massachusetts required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Common Questions Massachusetts Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Massachusetts?+
Yes. Massachusetts's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Massachusetts?+
No permit is required in Massachusetts to sell cottage food products, though you must still comply with labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts cottage food producers may earn up to $1,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts does not permit online sales of cottage food products under the cottage food law. Sales must be conducted in person through direct transactions.
Can I ship cottage food products in Massachusetts?+
No. Massachusetts does not allow shipping of cottage food products. Sales must be completed through direct, in-person transactions with the consumer.
What foods can I sell from home in Massachusetts?+
Under Massachusetts's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candy and confections, Dry herbs and herb blends, Roasted nuts, Granola and cereal mixes and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's full name and home address; Product name; Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight; Major food allergen disclosure.

Common Massachusetts cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in Massachusetts?→ Can I ship cottage food in Massachusetts?→ What is Massachusetts's cottage food sales limit?→ What are Massachusetts's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in Massachusetts?

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