# Cottage food label requirements in Arkansas

> Informational only, not legal or food-safety advice. Verify with Arkansas Department of Health before printing labels. Last checked 2026-08-05.

## What goes on the label

1. The product name, in words a customer would use.
2. Every ingredient, heaviest first.
3. The major allergens, called out separately from the ingredient list.
4. Who made it: your name or your business name.
5. How to reach you.
6. The date it was made.

## The required statement

As published for Arkansas:

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

Published as fixed text: reproduce it exactly.

## Detail

This is the Arkansas Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021), which replaced the 2011 cottage food law. Guidance still citing a 10-point type minimum and the wording "This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Arkansas Department of Health" is quoting the SUPERSEDED Act 72 of 2011 - do not print that. Note the allergen sentence is part of the required statement itself, not a separate line. The label must also carry: the date the food was made; the producer's name, address and telephone number (a producer who does not want to publish a home address may instead use an ID number issued by the Arkansas DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, a different agency from ADH); the common or usual name of the food; and ingredients in descending order of predominance. Scope is limited to non-TCS (shelf-stable) foods - anything time/temperature controlled needs an ADH permit. For products sold from a bulk container the disclosures go on the container plus a separate written document handed to the buyer. For online sales the information must appear on the website AND on the package. ADH local health units are branch offices of the state agency, not county-run departments, which is why enforced_locally is false - but the local health unit is still the practical place to ask.

## Sources

- Authority: Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Environmental Health Branch - ask at your ADH Local Health Unit
- Rule: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Homemade-Food-Guide-5.21.2026-Update.pdf