Dried Goods

Dried fruit, vegetable chips and dry mixes are non-TCS and cottage-eligible.

Cottage Food Eligible

Non-TCSDry foods only

NoneAnnual sales cap

9Allergens to declare

LocalPermit from your town

What is covered and what needs a different path

What this guide covers

Dried fruit and vegetable chips
Dry soup, dip and baking mixes
Trail mix and granola
Dried pasta and crackers

Needs a different path

Dried meat or jerky (inspected source and licensed kitchen)
Dried products with added oil or moisture (TCS)
Wholesale from a home kitchen
Products with nutrient claims without substantiation

Three compliance steps

Apply for the permit

Apply to your city or town Board of Health for a Residential Kitchen (cottage food) permit. Fees are set locally; Boston lists $100.

Make only non-TCS foods

Foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Anything needing refrigeration, or a pH or water-activity process, moves to a licensed kitchen.

Label and sell direct

Sell directly to consumers. Label with name, address, ingredients, allergens, net weight and the residential-kitchen statement. Wholesale needs a DPH license.

Quick reference

Item	Rule	Regulator
Foods	Shelf-stable and dry; no refrigeration needed	105 CMR 590.010(F)
Label	Ingredients, allergens, net weight, name and address	FDA; 105 CMR 520
Nutrition facts	Small business exemption options	FDA 21 CFR 101.9
Weights	Sold by weight on sealed scales	MA Division of Standards
Sales tax	Most grocery food exempt; candy taxable	MA DOR

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Nutrition Facts?Exemptions exist for small businesses; a notice may be required. Check FDA 101.9(j) before you print.

Is jerky a cottage food?No. Meat needs an inspected source and a licensed kitchen.

Can I sell dried herbs here?Yes, see Herbs & Spices for details.

Printable checklist

Permit in hand
Water activity checked
Allergens declared
Label includes residential-kitchen statement
Scale sealed
Nutrition exemption documented
Storage dry and clean