Arkansas Cottage Food Laws

Arkansas has one of the most permissive homemade food laws in the country. Sales still have to be within Arkansas and direct to the informed end consumer.

Fast facts

Permit
No permit required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Arkansas different

  • The 2021 Food Freedom Act massively expanded what home producers can sell
  • No permit, no inspection and no sales cap
  • Even some refrigerated and perishable homemade foods are allowed with proper labeling

Where you can sell in Arkansas

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Online
  • Shipping in state
  • Events

What you can and can't make

Arkansas follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Arkansas Department of Health product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Arkansas labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Arkansas

Arkansas Department of Health administers cottage food rules in Arkansas.

Last verified:

Visit Arkansas Department of Health

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Arkansas Department of Health before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states