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Arkansas Food Freedom Act, Act 1040 of 2021, Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq.High confidence

Cottage food law · Arkansas

ArkansasCottage Food Law

Arkansas cottage food law — what actually applies when you sell from home.

Here's what Arkansas allows under current cottage food rules: what you can sell, what you can't, and how to start legally.

Why this matters

What Arkansas actually allows — and what it doesn't.

Arkansas Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021), Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq., effective July 28, 2021, replacing the prior Cottage Food Law.

Annual revenue cap

Arkansas sets no cap on cottage food revenue.

Annual gross cap

Unlimited

Arkansas Food Freedom Act, Act 1040 of 2021, Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq.

Required label language

Every package carries a statutory disclaimer.

The disclaimer below must appear on every package, in the exact casing the statute specifies:

Required on every label

This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.

— Arkansas Food Freedom Act, Act 1040 of 2021, Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq.

Sales channels

Where you can sell in Arkansas — and where you can't.

Online ordering

YesYes

Shipping

YesYes

Seller delivery

YesYes

Third-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)

YesYes

Interstate sales

YesYes

Wholesale to retail stores

NoNo

Registration & permits

Arkansas does not require state registration.

Registration

Not required

Labeling standard

Standard

Inspection

None

Food safety certification

Not required

Address privacy

Available

Via state unique id

Prohibited categories

What you can't sell under cottage food rules.

  • Tcs
  • Meat
  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Cut Produce
  • Cut Leafy Greens
  • Cut Tomatoes
  • Cut Melons
  • Garlic In Oil
  • Raw Seed Sprouts
  • Low Acid Canned Goods

How to start

Steps to a legal first sale in Arkansas.

  1. Confirm your products qualify

    Verify your menu fits Arkansas's cottage food rules. Most states restrict temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items; check the prohibited-foods list above.

  2. Optional: register for address privacy

    Arkansas does not require registration, but offers an optional ID that replaces your home address on labels.

    Agency page

  3. Label every product correctly

    Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, allergens, and the statute-required disclaimer verbatim.

  4. Start taking orders

    Arkansas allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.

About VibeKitchen

The storefront tool this guide comes from.

VibeKitchen is a storefront and order-management tool for home food sellers — your own ordering page, your own checkout, your own customers. We’re the reason this guide exists: we had to research every state’s cottage food rules to build the product, and we’re publishing what we learned.