Q: Who needs a permit to sell food?
Answer: To legally sell food to the public you are required to be permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health. Examples of food service include but are not limited to restaurants, bars, daycares, schools, grocery stores, convenience stores, bed and breakfast, hotels/motels, mobile units and concession stands.
The Health Department regulates food safety to ensure that the food being sold is wholesome and represented honestly.
Q: How many times per year is food service facilities inspected in the State of Arkansas?
Answer: Food service facilities are inspected based on the type of operation. Facilities considered to be low frequency are inspected once per year and include facilities that prepare limited amounts of non-potentially hazardous foods or sells prepackaged foods that require temperature control such as milk or lunchmeat. Medium frequency facilities are inspected twice per year, cook and serves foods that require hot holding however the food is disposed of at the end of the four hours holding period. High frequency facilities are inspected three times per year, these facilities cook and serve foods that are cooled and reheated for later service.
Q: Why does the health department not require glove usage in food service facilities?
Answer: Glove usage has not been proven to lower the incidence of food borne illnesses. Gloves become just as dirty as the bare hand but are not as likely to be replaced as often as the hands are washed. Gloves seem to give the food service worker a sense of protection that is not there. The Environmental Health Branch, Food Protection Section is not against the use of glove in food service, but does require that hands still be washed and new gloves be used after each activity performed by the employee.
Q: I want to bake or cater food from home, what do I need to do?
Answer: To legally sell potentially hazardous food from your home you are required to be permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health. All raw, ice, beverages, or ingredient for sale in whole or in part for human consumption must be prepared in a facility licensed and inspected by the Arkansas Department of Health. This includes everything from snow cones to chicken and steaks. Prepackaged foods that do not require refrigeration such as chips, candy bars, canned/ bottled beverages that are sold unopened may be sold without a permit from Department of Health. However some cities and counties may require a license. If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Environmental Health Specialist at your local health unit.
Q: What is Cottage Food?
Answer: Act 72 of 2010 defines a "Cottage food production operation" as food items produced in a person's home that are non-potentially hazardous foods such as bakery products, candy, fruit butter, jams, and jellies. Only these 5 products are covered in ACT 72 and are the only products allowed to be sold under ACT 72 of 2010. Cottage food items can only be sold direct from the manufacturer to the consumer either from the site where the food is made, a farmer’s market, a county fair, or a special event.
Q: How do I get a Food Service Permit?
Answer: To become a permitted facility the establishment must first be approved by this agency. If the facility is new, the Environmental Health Branch requires a plan review of the facility. Information on plan review can be obtained from your local county health unit or this website.
If you are buying an existing business check with your Local County Healthy Unit to determine if a plan review will be required.
Q: What is the procedure for Plan Review?
Answer: The Food Service Plans must be submitted for review. We offer a Plan Review Guideline to assist you. Your county Environmental Health Specialist is available for questions.
A plumbing review is required for new facilities. Our Protective Health Codes Branch should be contacted at 501-661-2678 for an appointment. Protective Health Codes will coordinate the appointment with the Food Protection Branch.
A plan review fee is required equaling 1% of the total estimated cost, not less than $50 and not to exceed $500. Cost Estimate Worksheet. Once your facility is open you will be billed annually for your $35 permit fee.
NOTE: The first year you will be responsible for the plan review fee and the permit fee.
Q: Where do I send my permit fee?
Answer: If you are a currently permitted food service with a valid food service permit you will be automatically billed on an annual basis for your new permit. NOTE: We cannot receive payment before you are billed.
Remit check or money order along with your bill or customer number to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Environmental Health, Slot 29
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Click here for online payment