To promote economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs

The bill establishes rules for small-scale food producers, known as cottage food operations, to make and sell food items from their home kitchens. It defines what types of foods can be produced and sold without special permits. The Department of Public Health will set uniform standards for these operations, preventing local health boards from imposing stricter rules. Cottage food products that require permits must undergo an inspection within 30 days of permit application. Some products may require labeling with specific information. The bill creates a voluntary registry for producers, offering an identification number as an alternative to using a home address on labels. Cottage food operations won't be exempt from tax laws and the department can still investigate food safety issues.

MA H140 is a house bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Erika Uyterhoeven (D), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,464 Massachusetts bills this session, 22 of them sponsored by Erika Uyterhoeven.

Supporters of the bill praise its role in empowering home-based food entrepreneurs by streamlining regulations and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. It promotes local economic growth by making it easier for small food businesses to operate. By establishing clear, state-level standards, the bill ensures consistency and fairness across regions, encouraging more people to start cottage food businesses.

Critics might argue that the bill could compromise food safety by reducing oversight and allowing home kitchens to bypass some traditional food establishment requirements. There are concerns that local health boards will have limited power to enforce stricter health standards, potentially increasing health risks. Additionally, the voluntary nature of the registry might not provide sufficient tracking of cottage food operations.