A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. Certain proteins in food trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from mild to moderate, to severe and life threatening. While many different foods can cause allergic reactions, nine have been identified as major food allergens (that cause most allergic reactions in the United States):
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
- Crustacean Shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
- Tree Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
More information about food allergies - https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-allergies-what-you-need-know
List food allergens as part of your ingredients list. The requirement is already met if the common or usual name of an ingredient (e.g., buttermilk) already contains the major allergen's food source name (i.e., milk). Otherwise, the allergen's food source must be declared at least once on the food label in one of two ways:
1. In parentheses following the name of the ingredient in the ingredient list.
- EXAMPLES: "lecithin (soy)", "flour (wheat)", and "whey (milk)"
OR
2. Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a "contains" statement.
- EXAMPLE: "Contains Wheat, Milk, and Soy."
**NEW IN 2025**
MILK - For food labeling purposes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers "milk" as milk from domesticated cows, goats, sheep, or other ruminants.
- Milk from animals other than cows, when used as an ingredient, must be declared in the ingredient list by common or usual name, such as "goat milk", or "Contains goat milk" in a separate "Contains" statement, or both.
EGGS - For food labeling purposes, the FDA considers "eggs" as eggs from domesticated chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and other fowl.
- Eggs from birds other than chickens, when used as an ingredient, must be declared in the ingredient list by common or usual name, such as "duck egg", or "Contains duck egg" in a separate "Contains" statement, or both.
TREE NUTS - The FDA considers the following tree nuts as major food allergens: Almond, Brazil nut, Cashew, Hazelnut/filbert, Macadamia nut/Bush nut, Pecan, Pine nut/Pinon nut, Pistachio, Walnut (Black, California, English, Japanese/Heartnut, Persian).
- These tree nuts must be included in the ingredients list. Several tree nuts, including coconut, were removed from the list.
Additional Information - https://extension.umn.edu/cottage-food-safety-news/changes-major-food-allergens
List food allergens as part of your ingredients list. The requirement is already met if the common or usual name of an ingredient (e.g., buttermilk) already contains the major allergen's food source name (i.e., milk). Otherwise, the allergen's food source must be declared at least once on the food label in one of two ways:
1. In parentheses following the name of the ingredient in the ingredient list.
- EXAMPLES: "lecithin (soy)", "flour (wheat)", and "whey (milk)"
OR
2. Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a "contains" statement.
- EXAMPLE: "Contains Wheat, Milk, and Soy."
**NEW IN 2025**
MILK - For food labeling purposes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers "milk" as milk from domesticated cows, goats, sheep, or other ruminants.
- Milk from animals other than cows, when used as an ingredient, must be declared in the ingredient list by common or usual name, such as "goat milk", or "Contains goat milk" in a separate "Contains" statement, or both.
EGGS - For food labeling purposes, the FDA considers "eggs" as eggs from domesticated chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and other fowl.
- Eggs from birds other than chickens, when used as an ingredient, must be declared in the ingredient list by common or usual name, such as "duck egg", or "Contains duck egg" in a separate "Contains" statement, or both.
TREE NUTS - The FDA considers the following tree nuts as major food allergens: Almond, Brazil nut, Cashew, Hazelnut/filbert, Macadamia nut/Bush nut, Pecan, Pine nut/Pinon nut, Pistachio, Walnut (Black, California, English, Japanese/Heartnut, Persian).
- These tree nuts must be included in the ingredients list. Several tree nuts, including coconut, were removed from the list.
Additional Information - https://extension.umn.edu/cottage-food-safety-news/changes-major-food-allergens
Yes, a non-Minnesota resident can apply for a Minnesota Cottage Food Producer registration. They can make the food in their non-Minnesota home, but the food still needs to be provided in person to the customer in Minnesota (meet up location in Minnesota, or at a Minnesota farmers' market or community event).
NOTE: Cottage foods can cross state lines, with the exception of acidified jarred or canned foods (e.g., pickles, tomato sauce). Those foods must be both made and sold in Minnesota.
Yes, a non-Minnesota resident can apply for a Minnesota Cottage Food Producer registration. They can make the food in their non-Minnesota home, but the food still needs to be provided in person to the customer in Minnesota (meet up location in Minnesota, or at a Minnesota farmers' market or community event).
NOTE: Cottage foods can cross state lines, with the exception of acidified jarred or canned foods (e.g., pickles, tomato sauce). Those foods must be both made and sold in Minnesota.
- Become familiar with the regulations that apply to wholesale food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing operations. The regulations for Minnesota have been adopted by reference from the Federal regulations - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21. The specific regulation that applies is Part 117, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), but additional parts may also apply depending on the products produced or processes covered in your business.
- Specialized processes such as low acid canned foods, acidified foods, seafood, juice, and bottled water, have numerous additional requirements that must be followed.
- The facility in which you will operate, and the equipment used must meet some basic requirements. For more information, view the requirements in 21 CFR 117.
- Become familiar with the regulations that apply to wholesale food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing operations. The regulations for Minnesota have been adopted by reference from the Federal regulations - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21. The specific regulation that applies is Part 117, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), but additional parts may also apply depending on the products produced or processes covered in your business.
- Specialized processes such as low acid canned foods, acidified foods, seafood, juice, and bottled water, have numerous additional requirements that must be followed.
- The facility in which you will operate, and the equipment used must meet some basic requirements. For more information, view the requirements in 21 CFR 117.
- Water from a source other than a public water supply must be evaluated and approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) before licensing. Getting a private well approved as a water source requires an evaluation, which may be requested from the Minnesota Department of Health. They will review well construction records, water testing results, and well isolation distances when making this determination. A preliminary evaluation may be completed by your MDA Inspector before the MDH evaluation.
- Contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Drinking Water Protection Program for more information (Phone: 651.201.4700 or email: Health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us).
