Product Description

Anyone producing food for sale “direct to the consumer” is considered a Retail Residential
Kitchen and is required to have a permit under 105 CMR 590.
Anyone that makes food in a Residential Kitchen in Massachusetts that wants to sell in another
state should confirm that they are in compliance with both Federal law and the state laws where
they are doing business.
The website below also includes information on foods that may be produced in a Retail
Residential Kitchen and foods that may not be prepared in a Retail Residential Kitchen.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/residential-kitchen-questions-and-
answers?_gl=11ix8293_gaMTExNTYwMTg2Mi4xNzQ4MzQ2ODgz_ga_MCLPEGW
7WM*czE3NDgzNDczNDUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDgzNDczNDUkajAkbDAkaDA. – overview-

The website below also includes information on the kinds of foods that can be produced
in a Retail Residential Kitchen, as well as information on annual limits, labeling, and
food handler training.
The following website also includes links to important websites that offer a wealth of
knowledge pertaining to Massachusetts cottage food laws.
https://cottagefoodlaws.com/massachusetts-cottage-food-laws/ –
how_to_start_your_cottage_food_business_in_massachusetts_–_licensing
Further information, such as information on home inspections, can be found at the
following website:
https://ij.org/issues/economic-liberty/homemade-food-
seller/massachusetts/#:~:text=Massachusetts%20requires%20cottage%20food%20pro
ducers,a%20database%20of%20local%20rules.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Division of Food Protection (DFP) has
prepared the following guide to help you comply with Massachusetts and federal requirements in
order to start a wholesale food business. A wholesale food business sells products to other
businesses; it does not sell products directly to the consumer:

https://www.mass.gov/guides/starting-a-wholesale-food-business#:~:text=DOCX%20111.72%20KB)-

,Apply%20for%20initial%20licensure%20for%20food%20processing%20and/or%20distr
ibution,the%20Environmental%20Health%20eLicensing%20Portal.