Grains & Flour
Packaged flour and grains are non-TCS, but raw flour carries its own safety advice.
Cottage Food EligibleDryNon-TCS products
LocalPermit from your town
RawFlour is not ready to eat
9Allergens incl. sesame
What is covered and what needs a different path
What this guide covers
- Milled flours and whole grains packaged dry
- Baking mixes with dry ingredients
- Oats, cornmeal and grits
- Sprouted dry grain sold shelf-stable
Needs a different path
- Milling operations sold wholesale without DPH permit
- Sprouted fresh grain (TCS)
- Flour sold as ready-to-eat
- Dairy- or egg-containing mixes needing refrigeration
Three compliance steps
A
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.
B
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.
C
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | Dry packaged flour is non-TCS | 105 CMR 590.010(F) |
| Raw flour | Recommend a cook-before-eating statement | FDA advice |
| Allergens | Wheat plus the nine major allergens | FDA |
| Wholesale | DPH manufacturing permit | 105 CMR 500 |
| Weights | Sealed scale | MA Division of Standards |
Frequently asked questions
Can I mill grain at home?Milling for retail sale in a permitted residential kitchen is evaluated by the Board of Health.
Is raw flour safe?It can carry E. coli; a cook-before-eating statement is recommended.
Is wheat an allergen?Yes, wheat is a major allergen.
Printable checklist
- Permit in hand
- Allergens declared
- Cook-before-eating statement added
- Net weight on label
- Scale sealed
- Dry storage clean
- Wholesale permit if selling to stores