Arkansas Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Arkansas (AR) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Not required
Where You Can Sell
- Direct to consumer in-person
- Telephone sales
- Online sales
- Retail space at the producer's ranch, farm, home, or office
- Third-party retail locations (retail shops, grocery stores)
- Farmers' markets
- Delivery by producer, agent, third-party vendor, or third-party carrier (mail, parcel post)
Allowed Products
- Homemade Non-TCS (non-Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods
- Pickled cucumbers and acidified vegetables
- Raw fresh fruits and vegetables
- Maple syrup
- Sorghum
- Honey
- Canned low-acid foods (permit required)
- Smoked, cured, or dried meat (permit required)
- Sprouted seeds or beans (permit required)
- Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) Foods (permit required)
Prohibited Products
- Foods containing meat
- Foods containing poultry
- Foods containing seafood
- Casseroles
- Low-acid canned foods
- Cut leafy greens
- Cut tomatoes
- Garlic-in-oil mixtures
- Cut melons
- Cheesecakes
- Tres Leches cakes
- Cream-filled items
- Cheese-filled items
- Cream pies
- Meringue pies
- Custard pies
- Cream cheese-based frostings or fillings
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Arkansas:
Required Disclaimer
This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.
Additional Notes
Arkansas operates under the Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021), which replaced the Cottage Food Act (Act 399 of 2017). No annual revenue cap is specified. No ADH permit or inspection is required for Homemade Non-TCS Foods sold directly to an informed end consumer. Sales to restaurants are prohibited (not from approved sources). Producers may substitute their name, address, and phone number with an identification number issued by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for personal safety reasons. Labeling must also include the date of manufacture and the common or usual name of the food. Allergen labeling is addressed only via the required disclaimer statement ('This product may contain allergens') rather than specific allergen declarations. The label or signage must inform the consumer the product is unregulated/uninspected. Third-party vendors who also sell state/federally inspected foods must keep homemade Non-TCS Foods separate. Sales into other states require compliance with federal law and applicable state/local laws. Pickled cucumbers, acidified vegetables, raw fresh fruits and vegetables, maple syrup, sorghum, and honey are separately listed as permit-free categories. Canned low-acid foods, smoked/cured/dried meat, sprouted seeds or beans, and all TCS foods require an ADH permit. Source document: Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide, updated May 21, 2026 (healthy.arkansas.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Arkansas?
- Arkansas does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Arkansas?
- No. Arkansas does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Arkansas?
- No. Arkansas does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Arkansas require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Arkansas does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Arkansas?
- In Arkansas, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct to consumer in-person, Telephone sales, Online sales, Retail space at the producer's ranch, farm, home, or office, Third-party retail locations (retail shops, grocery stores), Farmers' markets, Delivery by producer, agent, third-party vendor, or third-party carrier (mail, parcel post).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Arkansas?
- Arkansas follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Arkansas cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Arkansas: Homemade Non-TCS (non-Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods, Pickled cucumbers and acidified vegetables, Raw fresh fruits and vegetables, Maple syrup, Sorghum, Honey, Canned low-acid foods (permit required), Smoked, cured, or dried meat (permit required), Sprouted seeds or beans (permit required), Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) Foods (permit required).
- What products are prohibited under Arkansas cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Arkansas's cottage food exemption: Foods containing meat, Foods containing poultry, Foods containing seafood, Casseroles, Low-acid canned foods, Cut leafy greens, Cut tomatoes, Garlic-in-oil mixtures, Cut melons, Cheesecakes, Tres Leches cakes, Cream-filled items, Cheese-filled items, Cream pies, Meringue pies, Custard pies, Cream cheese-based frostings or fillings.