Cottage food rules
New Arkansas Cottage Food Laws: A Home Baker's Guide
A plain look at what changed in Arkansas and what it means for your home baking sales.
On this page
What to remember
- The Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021) replaced the Cottage Food Act (Act 399 of 2017).
- Arkansas allows sales of non-potentially hazardous foods.
- There is no dollar limit on Arkansas cottage food sales.
- A kitchen used for cottage food items is not required to be licensed or inspected by the health department.
- The Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide provides standards, guidelines, and consistent information for food vendors and regulators.
If you bake for neighbors or take orders from home, the rules matter before you take the next order. Arkansas changed its cottage food law, so older advice you find online may not match what is on the books now. The short version is that the Food Freedom Act is the law to check, not the old Cottage Food Act. If you also sell near a state line, it helps to read Missouri cottage food law and Mississippi cottage food laws so you do not mix up the rules.
What changed in Arkansas
During the 93rd Session of the Arkansas General Assembly, the Cottage Food Act (Act 399 of 2017) was removed and replaced by the Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021). That is the main change to know. If you saved an older blog post or a printed sheet, check it against the current state guide before you rely on it.
Arkansas sets no dollar limit on cottage food sales. That means the ceiling on growth is your own kitchen and time rather than a statutory cap. You can plan a bigger bake week without watching a sales number set by law.
What you can sell and what you do not need
Arkansas allows for the sale of non-potentially hazardous foods. The law is limited to those foods, so the state guide is the place to confirm an item before you put it on your menu. The guide is also the common reference for vendors and regulators, which helps you know what standards apply.
Kitchens where cottage food items are prepared in Arkansas are not required to be licensed or inspected by the health department. That is a real relief for a home baker who works from a home kitchen. It does not replace the need to read the state guide, because the guide sets the standards and guidelines for homemade food production.
No sales cap, so price with care
With no dollar limit, the limit on your growth is your kitchen and your time. That makes pricing a practical part of staying paid. Write down what a batch costs, including packaging, so a busy week does not turn into a loss. For a plain example of what a cottage food label can include, see Nebraska cottage food law labeling.
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Before you take the next order
Read the current state guide
Start with the Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide and check that your item is a non-potentially hazardous food.
Keep your kitchen records simple
Write down what you make, what you spend, and what you sell. You do not need a license or inspection for the kitchen, but clear records help you run the business.
Price every recipe
Add up ingredients and packaging for a full batch, then divide by the number you sell. With no dollar cap, your own numbers decide how far you can grow.
Check label details before you print
Use the state guide for any label details, and look at a plain example such as the Nebraska cottage food labeling guide so you know what to include.
Sell only what you have checked
Keep your menu and your records in one place so a busy week stays manageable and you do not promise an item you have not confirmed.
The main thing to remember is that Arkansas now uses the Food Freedom Act, not the old Cottage Food Act. The state sets no dollar limit on cottage food sales, and the kitchen does not need a health department license or inspection. Read the Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide before you add a new bake, and keep your prices and records close so you can grow at your own pace.
Common questions
What is the new cottage food law in Arkansas?
The Cottage Food Act (Act 399 of 2017) was removed and replaced by the Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021). That change came during the 93rd Session of the Arkansas General Assembly.
Do I need a license or inspection for my Arkansas cottage food kitchen?
No. Kitchens where cottage food items are prepared in Arkansas are not required to be licensed or inspected by the health department.
Is there a sales limit for Arkansas cottage food?
No. Arkansas sets no dollar limit on cottage food sales, so the ceiling on growth is your own kitchen and time rather than a statutory cap.
What foods can I sell under Arkansas cottage food rules?
Arkansas allows for the sale of non-potentially hazardous foods. Check the Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide before you add an item to your menu.
Where can I find the current Arkansas rules?
Start with the Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide. It was developed to provide standards, guidelines, and consistent information for food vendors and regulators.
Sources
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check the current Arkansas Homemade Food Production Guide and a qualified professional for your situation.