Aromatics

Candles, incense, sachets and room sprays: product-safety rules, not food rules.

Federal Rules Apply

Baked Goods

Breads, cookies and cakes from a permitted home kitchen, sold direct to consumers.

Cottage Food Eligible

Beverages

Juices, ciders, kombucha and soft drinks are TCS or regulated: plan for a licensed path.

Licensed Facility Required

Body Care

Soaps, balms and scrubs are cosmetics: labeling and safety substantiation under MoCRA.

Federal Rules Apply

Canned Goods

Low-acid and acidified foods carry federal process rules: home canning cannot be sold.

Licensed Facility Required

Coffee & Tea

Dry roasted coffee and dried tea are shelf-stable; brewed or cold-brew drinks need licensing.

Cottage Food Eligible

Dairy

Raw milk is on-farm only and tightly regulated; all other dairy needs a licensed milk plant.

Licensed Facility Required

Dried Goods

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

Cottage Food Eligible

Eggs

Shell eggs have federal handling rules, state grade definitions and housing standards for sale in Massachusetts.

Registration Required

Fruits

Whole raw fruit is a raw agricultural commodity: farm sales are lighter, cut fruit is TCS.

Farm Exempt

Grains & Flour

Packaged flour and grains are non-TCS, but raw flour carries its own safety advice.

Cottage Food Eligible

Herbs & Spices

Dried herbs and spice blends are non-TCS and cottage-eligible; labels carry allergens.

Cottage Food Eligible

Honey

Honey is a classic non-TCS cottage food; beekeepers also register apiaries.

Cottage Food Eligible

Laundry

Detergent and laundry products are consumer chemicals, not foods or cosmetics.

Federal Rules Apply

Meats

Meat and poultry for sale must be slaughtered under USDA or exempt inspection; custom meat cannot be sold.

Inspected Source Required

Mushrooms

Cultivated mushrooms are produce; wild mushrooms need identification and an approved source.

Farm Exempt

Nuts & Seeds

Roasted and flavored nuts are non-TCS; tree nut, peanut and sesame allergens must be declared.

Cottage Food Eligible

Oils

Pure pressed oils are shelf-stable; infused oils carry botulism risk and need a licensed path.

Licensed Facility Required

Pet Food/Treats

Animal food is regulated by FDA labeling rules and Massachusetts feed oversight.

Registration Required

Plants & Flowers

Nursery stock needs inspection and certification; some plants are prohibited from sale.

Registration Required

Preserves

Jams, jellies and marmalades are the standard cottage food; pickles are not.

Cottage Food Eligible

Supplements

Dietary supplements are federally regulated: cGMP, label format and claim rules.

Federal Rules Apply

Vegetables

Whole raw vegetables are farm-exempt produce; cut and prepared vegetables are TCS.

Farm Exempt

Vinegars

Vinegar must meet a 4 percent acidity floor; flavored vinegars need controls.

Licensed Facility Required