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Starting a wholesale food business

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Division of Food Protection (DFP) has prepared this guide to help you comply with Massachusetts and federal requirements in order to start a wholesale food business. A wholesale food business sells products to other businesses, it does not sell products directly to the consumer.

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About the Division of Food Protection (DFP)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Division of Food Protection (DFP) regulates and inspects all wholesale food businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

These businesses include:

  • Milk Pasteurization
  • Dairy Products, e.g., cheese and ice cream
  • Seafood (including seafood transport)
  • Food Processing (including meat and poultry)
  • Food Warehouses
  • Food Distribution Centers
  • Wholesale Residential Kitchens
  • Bottled Water
  • Carbonated Beverages

Regulations

As a wholesale food business, you must comply with the regulations in 105 CMR 500.000: Good Manufacturing Practices for Food (downloadable below).

Additional Massachusetts Regulations for food establishments are posted on the Division of Food Protection regulations page.

You may buy official copies of the regulations at the following State Bookstores:

  • Massachusetts State House
    State Book Store
    Room 116
    Boston, Massachusetts
    (617) 727-2834
  • Western Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
    436 Dwight St.
    Springfield, MA
    (413) 784-1376
  • Southeast District Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
    218 South Main St.
    Suite 206
    Fall River, MA
    (508) 646-1374

For assistance about regulations, licensure, and inspection of a wholesale food business, please contact the Division of Food Protection (DFP).

Additional Resources

Open file,  Revised regulation: Good Manufacturing Practices for Wholesale Food Businesses
Open PDF file, 390.71 KB,  105 CMR 500.000: Good Manufacturing Practices for Food (English, PDF 390.71 KB)
Open DOCX file, 545.2 KB,  105 CMR 500.000: Good Manufacturing Practices for Food (English, DOCX 545.2 KB)

Labeling

All packaged foods cold by a wholesale food business must be labeled in accordance with Massachusetts and federal labeling regulations. The Massachusetts regulation is 105 CMR 500.006.

The Massachusetts Division of Food Protection has prepared a guide to help you develop a food label that complies with Massachusetts and federal labeling requirements. Please see the brochure below.

Please note that this brochure is only a guide. Regulations, licensing requirements, inspection standards and labeling requirements are subject to amendment. It is your responsibility as a licensee to know and abide by all current regulations, licensing requirements, inspection standards, and labeling requirements. Always consult official local, state and federal regulatory agencies to ensure your business is in full compliance.

Additional Resources

Open PDF file, 66.61 KB,  Minimum Requirements for Packaged-Food Labeling (English, PDF 66.61 KB)
Open DOCX file, 111.72 KB,  Minimum Requirements for Packaged-Food Labeling (English, DOCX 111.72 KB)

Apply for initial licensure for food processing and/or distribution at wholesale

$300   application fee per site or activity

To apply for an initial license:

  • Complete and sign the entire online application form (found in the links below)
  • Submit a separate application for each facility or activity to be licensed

Fees

Pay by credit card or electronic fund transfer using the Environmental Health eLicensing Portal.

NameFeeUnit
Application fee$300per facility or activity

How to apply

Go to the Environmental Health eLicensing Portal  and create an account, or log into your existing account. If this is your first time using this new portal, please visit BCEH eLicensing System User Guide.

More info

For questions related to license status, how to use the eLicensing system, or any other licensing questions, please contact the Division of Food Protection (DFP) using the eLicensing Support Request Form or call the BCEH eLicensing HelpDesk at (833) 281-6111.

Contact

Division of Food Protection (DFP)
Phone: BCEH eLicensing HelpDesk (833) 281-6111
Online: eLicensing Support Request Form

Additional Resources

Open file,  Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 94, Section 305C

Resource information on starting a wholesale food business

New England Food Entrepreneurs
This website is designed to help you start, maintain, or expand a food business.

Massachusetts Nutrient Data Bank
Assists businesses with nutritional labeling information to meet the requirements of the federal nutrition labeling regulations.

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