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Category 11 of 25 · Hawaii

Grains & Flour

Rice, Poi, Milled Flour & Grain Mixes

Cottage Food Eligible
None req'd
License
No revenue cap
Cap
Food-safety course
Training
HAR 11-50 / Act 195
Law

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Milled flours (including taro/poi-adjacent starches), rice, and dry grain-based mixes sold direct under the cottage exemption
  • Hand-pounded poi, which has its own recognized labeling variant under Hawaii's homemade food rules
  • Pancake, bread, and baking mixes that are fully dry and shelf-stable
  • Wholesale of non-TCS grain products to permitted retailers under Act 195

✕ Needs More

  • Fresh, wet-pack poi held at refrigeration temperature for extended shelf life beyond the homemade allowance — verify current DOH guidance on shelf life/labeling for fresh poi
  • Grain products blended with fresh dairy, egg, or other TCS ingredients (e.g., a refrigerated grain pudding)
  • Selling without the food-safety course and required label disclaimer
  • Interstate shipment under the cottage exemption (in-state only)

How to Get Compliant

A

Confirm your product is dry/shelf-stable

Milled flours, rice, and dry mixes are squarely cottage-eligible; fresh poi has its own label variant — check current DOH wording.

B

Complete the cottage requirements

Food-safety course, then label with the home-kitchen disclaimer (poi-specific wording where applicable), ingredients, allergens, and contact info.

C

Sell broadly

Direct, online, in-state shipped, and wholesale (non-TCS) channels are all open under Act 195, with no DOH registration or inspection.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Milled flour / rice, direct saleCottage course + labelStandard cottage item
Hand-pounded poiCottage course + poi-specific label statementRecognized homemade food variant
Dry baking/pancake mixCottage course + labelStandard cottage item
Wholesale to a storeCottage course + label, non-TCS onlyAct 195 (2025) opened this channel

Frequently Asked Questions

Is poi cottage-food eligible?
Yes, hand-pounded poi is specifically recognized under Hawaii's homemade food rules with its own label statement variant.
Can I sell flour milled from my own taro or grain?
Yes, as a dry, shelf-stable product it fits the standard cottage exemption.
Do I need a scale-specific permit for grain milling equipment?
No state permit targets home milling equipment itself; food-safety and labeling rules apply to the finished product.
Can I wholesale my rice mix to a local store?
Yes, non-TCS grain products may be wholesaled to a permitted food establishment under Act 195.

Printable Checklist