Every element required on every package you sell — from the product name down to allergen declarations — plus what Massachusetts does and doesn't require, with real examples for each field.
Massachusetts requires all cottage food products to be prepackaged with a complete ingredient label before being offered for sale. You cannot sell unwrapped baked goods from a basket without labeling — if the product is packaged, it needs a full label. If it's displayed in bulk (like cookies in a bin), the bulk container must carry the required label information. There is no labeling waiver for small sellers or occasional sellers.
Massachusetts labeling requirements draw from two sources: Massachusetts state law (105 CMR 590 and 105 CMR 520) and federal FDA labeling regulations (21 CFR Part 101). Both apply to your products. The good news is that most of what Massachusetts requires is identical to federal requirements, so complying with one generally means complying with both.
There is no state pre-approval process for labels. You are responsible for ensuring your labels comply — the DPH does not review or approve individual product labels before you go to market. Your local Board of Health inspector may review a sample label as part of your permit application, but this is a check for completeness, not an official approval. Get it right from the start.
Federal law (updated by the FASTER Act of 2021) requires clear declaration of nine major food allergens. Massachusetts follows these federal requirements. Every allergen present in your product — even in trace amounts through sub-ingredients — must be declared.
Allergens can be declared two ways — or both:
| Product Weight / Type | What's Required | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 oz / 28g | Single unit declaration sufficient | Net Wt. 0.8 oz (23g) |
| 1 oz to under 1 lb | Weight in oz + grams (dual declaration) | Net Wt. 8 oz (227g) |
| Exactly 1 lb | Dual declaration required — lb and oz + grams | Net Wt. 1 lb (16 oz / 454g) |
| Over 1 lb | Full dual declaration — lb + oz AND grams | Net Wt. 1 lb 4 oz (567g) |
| Sold by count (e.g., cookies) | Count plus weight is best practice | 12 cookies · Net Wt. 10 oz (283g) |
| Sold by liquid volume (if applicable) | Fluid ounces + milliliters | Net Contents: 8 fl oz (237 mL) |
To help you avoid over-engineering your labels, here's what Massachusetts cottage food sellers generally do not need — unless specific conditions apply.
Massachusetts is one of the few states that explicitly addresses online sales in its cottage food framework. When you sell products online — through your own website, Etsy, Instagram DMs, Facebook Marketplace, or any other internet platform — the product listing page must include all information that would appear on a physical label. This means: product name, full ingredient list (with sub-ingredients), net weight, your name and business address, and all allergen declarations.
This requirement protects consumers who may have food allergies and are purchasing without seeing the physical product. A beautiful product photo with a catchy description is not enough — the allergen and ingredient information must be plainly visible on the listing itself, not buried in fine print or a separate linked document.
For phone or mail orders where a physical label is not shown before purchase, Massachusetts requires you to verbally disclose to the consumer that the product was produced in a residential kitchen exempt from state licensing and inspection requirements, and that it may contain allergens. This disclosure should happen before the transaction is completed.
Build a print-ready, Massachusetts-compliant label for your products. Enter your ingredients, allergens, and business info — and get a properly formatted label with all required elements in the correct order.
Create Your Free Label →The Label Creator is free with a SellFood account. No credit card required.
Join home food sellers across Massachusetts who are turning their kitchen passion into real income — with the tools, marketplace, and community to grow.
Create Your Free Seller Account →