Vinegars
Vinegar must meet a 4 percent acidity floor; flavored vinegars need controls.
Licensed Facility Required4%Minimum acidity
AceticAcid type
pHFlavored controls
LocalRetail permit
What is covered and what needs a different path
What this guide covers
- Plain vinegars at 4 percent acidity or higher
- Fruit-infused vinegars from a licensed kitchen
- Shrubs and drinking vinegars from a licensed facility
- Retail sales at licensed outlets
Needs a different path
- Vinegars below 4 percent sold as vinegar
- Home-made flavored vinegars for wholesale
- Medicinal claims
- Wholesale from a residential kitchen
Three compliance steps
A
Test acidity
Confirm acetic acid at 4 grams per 100 mL or higher.
B
License the kitchen
Flavored and wholesale vinegars need a DPH permit.
C
Label
Identity, ingredients, allergens, net contents.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Acidity | 4 percent minimum for vinegar | FDA CPG |
| Flavored | Process controls | DPH; FDA |
| Wholesale | Manufacturing permit | DPH 105 CMR 500 |
| Label | Identity and net contents | FDA |
| Sales tax | Food exempt | MA DOR |
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell flavored vinegar from home?Not under the cottage permit.
What is the acidity line?4 percent.
Is it taxable?Food vinegar is generally exempt.
Printable checklist
- Acidity tested
- Permit class chosen
- Label complete
- Allergens declared
- Batch record
- Recall plan
- Tax status