2026 guide
Cottage food laws in Massachusetts (2026).
Sales caps, label requirements, shipping rules, and what you can sell from your home kitchen.
Annual cap
None
Online orders
No
Shipping
No
Permit
Inspection
The short version
No annual cap in Massachusetts. Track sales for your books, but the state doesn't throttle you. Shipping is not allowed — in-state delivery or in-person only. Online sales are not permitted — face-to-face only. Residential Kitchen permit. Local board of health inspects.
What you can sell in Massachusetts
Cottage food laws generally allow non-potentially-hazardous foods — items that don't require refrigeration for safety. Common allowed items include:
- Cookies, brownies, biscotti
- Breads, rolls, bagels
- Cakes (no cream/custard fillings)
- Pies (fruit, not cream)
- Jams, jellies, fruit butters
- Granola, trail mix, candy
- Dry mixes & spice blends
- Roasted coffee beans
Items requiring refrigeration (cream pies, cheesecakes, meat) are typically prohibited. Confirm specifics with your state agency.
Every label in Massachusetts must include
- Producer name & address
- Product name
- Ingredients
- Allergens
- Net weight
Skip the formatting headache.
Siftii auto-generates Massachusetts-compliant labels from your recipes — ingredients in descending weight, allergen statements, the works.
Generate compliant labelsTracking your sales
Massachusetts doesn't cap your sales, but you still need clean records for taxes and audits. Siftii logs every order automatically — markets, online, custom — so you have a defensible number when the IRS or state asks.
Frequently asked questions
+ What's the cottage food sales limit in Massachusetts for 2026?
Massachusetts has no annual cap on cottage food sales as of 2026.
+ Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a kitchen inspection before selling.
+ Can I ship baked goods from Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts prohibits shipping cottage food. In-state delivery or in-person sales only.
+ Can I take online orders in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts requires face-to-face sales — no online orders.
+ What has to be on my label?
Massachusetts requires: Producer name & address; Product name; Ingredients; Allergens; Net weight.
+ Is this legal advice?
No. This page summarizes public guidance. Confirm details with the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.
Nearby states
Run your Massachusetts cottage bakery like a real business.
Siftii is the bakery OS for cottage operators — orders, labels, sales tracking, and compliance, all in one place. Free to start.
Create a free accountInformational only — not legal advice. Last reviewed 2026. Verify with the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture or Health before selling.