Arkansas Cottage Food Law 2026
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
CottageFoodLicense.com is an informational platform, not a law firm. The information provided by our AI Checker, templates, and guides does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. You must verify all information with your local health department before selling products.
Allowed
- ✓Baked goods (non-cream/custard)
- ✓Candies and confections
- ✓Fruit jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters
- ✓Honey, syrups, and vinegars
- ✓Fruit pies (high-acid)
- ✓Dehydrated/dried fruits, vegetables, herbs
- ✓Granola, popcorn, dry mixes, roasted coffee beans
- ✓Roasted nuts and nut butters
- ✓Acidified and fermented foods with verified pH ≤ 4.6 (pickles, sauerkraut, salsa, hot sauce) — recipe must be ADH-approved, process-authority verified, or each batch pH-tested with a calibrated meter
Prohibited
- ✕Meat, poultry, seafood/fish
- ✕Wild game
- ✕Dairy products and raw-milk products
- ✕Custards, cream fillings, meringues, cheesecakes
- ✕Garlic-in-oil mixtures
- ✕Cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes, raw seed sprouts
- ✕Low-acid canned vegetables
- ✕Any other Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food
Labeling Protocols
01Producer's name, address, and phone number (or ADH/Ark. Dept. of Agriculture-issued ID number)
02Common or usual name of the product
03Ingredients in descending order of predominance
04Major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame)
05Production date
06Required disclaimer (10-pt minimum): 'This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.'
FAQs
Do I need a license, permit, or registration?
No. The Arkansas Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021, A.C.A. § 20-57-501 et seq.) exempts homemade non-TCS food and drink producers from state licensing, certification, inspection, and packaging/labeling requirements — provided the required consumer disclosures are made.
Is there a sales cap?
No. Arkansas imposes no annual revenue limit.
Can I sell online and ship?
Yes. Producers may sell online and deliver via producer, agent, or third-party carrier (mail/parcel) to the informed end consumer.
Can I ship out of state?
Arkansas law does not prohibit interstate shipment. However, you must comply with federal (FDA) rules and the laws of the destination state — many states ban inbound homemade-food shipments. Verify the destination state's rules before shipping.
Can I sell through grocery stores or retail shops?
Yes. Unlike most states, Arkansas allows a third-party vendor — including a retail shop or grocery store — to sell homemade non-TCS products, as long as they are kept separate from inspected food and labeled with the required disclosure.
Can restaurants buy and serve my products?
Restaurants may not use homemade food as ingredients in their menu. A restaurant with a retail component may resell sealed, properly labeled homemade products to consumers.
What is the required label statement?
Every package, placard, or website listing must include: 'This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.' (10-pt minimum, per ADH guidance.) Producer name/address/phone (or state-issued ID number), product name, ingredients in descending order, major allergens, and production date are also required.
Which foods are prohibited?
Any TCS (time/temperature control for safety) food — meat, poultry, seafood, wild game, dairy, raw-milk products, custards, garlic-in-oil, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes, raw seed sprouts, and low-acid canned vegetables. Acidified/fermented foods are allowed only if verified pH ≤ 4.6.
Can I sell at farmers markets, fairs, and pop-ups?
Yes. Direct sales at farmers markets (physical or online), county fairs, special events, and pop-up shops within another business are explicitly allowed under A.C.A. § 20-57-504.
What Comes Next
After You Verify Compliance: Your Next 4 Steps
Some links below are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd suggest to a friend. Full disclosure.
- 01
Liability Shield
Form an LLC
Separating your personal finances from your cottage food business protects your home and savings if a customer ever brings a claim. Both providers below file in all 50 states and handle registered agent service for Arkansas.
- 02
Protect Your Kitchen
Get Product Liability Insurance
A single allergy incident or contamination claim can erase years of profit. FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program) is built specifically for cottage food operators — flat-rate annual policies with farmers market and online sales coverage included.
- 03
Recommended in Arkansas
Complete Food Safety Training
Arkansas does not mandate food safety training, but completing one builds buyer trust and protects you if a labeling or handling question ever arises. Learn2Serve's online course takes a few hours.
- 04
Production Ready
Set Up Your Kitchen and Labels
The right thermometers, storage containers, scale, and label printer turn a home kitchen into a compliant production space. Our Week 11 equipment guide walks through what we use and the Arkansas-specific labeling fields you'll need.
Official Sources
Verify current requirements directly with the state:
- Arkansas Food Freedom Act — A.C.A. § 20-57-501 et seq.
- A.C.A. § 20-57-504 (Food freedom — scope and delivery)
- A.C.A. § 20-57-505 (Disclosures — required label statement)
- ADH — Food Protection Inspection Portal
- ADH — Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guidelines (July 2025)
- U. of Arkansas Cooperative Extension — Food Freedom Act overview
At a Glance
Permit Fee
$0
No license, permit, registration, or inspection required. Producers may optionally request an ADH/Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture identification number to use in lieu of a home address on labels.
Renewal
N/A — no license to renew
Shipping