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Category 19 of 25 · Hawaii

Oils

Cooking Oils, Infused Oils & Macadamia Nut Oil

Verify Before You Sell — Dual Path
Cottage eligible
Plain shelf-stable oil
Licensed facility
Garlic/herb-infused oil
HDOH
Agency
Botulism
Risk

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Plain, shelf-stable oils (macadamia nut oil, coconut oil, etc.) with no fresh add-ins, sold direct under the cottage exemption
  • Infused oils made in an HDOH-permitted facility following a validated acidification or refrigeration-required process
  • Wholesale of plain, shelf-stable oils to permitted retailers
  • Clearly labeled 'keep refrigerated, use within X days' infused oils sold from a licensed, permitted kitchen

✕ Needs More

  • Garlic-, herb-, or vegetable-infused oils made and sold from a home kitchen — fresh ingredients in oil create a low-oxygen environment that supports botulism growth, and this is never cottage-eligible
  • Selling infused oils without a validated acidified-food process and HDOH permit
  • Skipping the food-safety course for the plain-oil cottage path
  • Assuming refrigeration alone makes a home-infused oil safe to sell — it still requires a licensed process, not a home kitchen

How to Get Compliant

A

Confirm plain vs. infused

Plain, shelf-stable oil is cottage-eligible; any oil with fresh garlic, herbs, or vegetables added requires a licensed facility with a validated safety process, no exceptions.

B

License the facility for infused oils

Get an HDOH food establishment permit and follow a scientifically validated recipe/process (acidification or strict refrigeration protocol) before selling any infused oil.

C

Label appropriately

Plain oil: home-kitchen disclaimer + ingredients. Infused oil: full processor labeling plus any required 'keep refrigerated' and shelf-life instructions.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Plain macadamia/coconut oil, direct saleCottage course + labelStandard cottage item
Garlic/herb-infused oilHDOH permit + validated processBotulism risk — never cottage-eligible
Wholesale of plain oilCottage course + labelNon-TCS only, per Act 195
Any oil marketed as 'fresh' with produce chunksHDOH permit requiredTreat as high-risk regardless of refrigeration claim

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my own macadamia nut oil at a farmers market?
Yes, plain shelf-stable oil is cottage-eligible with just the food-safety course and proper labeling.
Can I make garlic-infused olive oil in my home kitchen to sell?
No — infused oils carry serious botulism risk and require a licensed facility with a validated process; this is one of the most consistently flagged high-risk items across all states.
Does refrigerating my infused oil make it safe to sell from home?
No — refrigeration alone doesn't substitute for a licensed, validated process; the product still needs to come from a permitted facility.
Can I wholesale plain oil to a store?
Yes, non-TCS plain oils may be wholesaled under Act 195.

Printable Checklist