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Understanding Producer Categories

BEFORE signing up, review the category that FITS your farm. Each category follows different federal & state regulations & determines what you can legally SELL on IAC. This ensures every producer on the platform operates safely, transparently, and within the LAW.

Category 1

USDA-Inspected

Multi-State Retail Sales Allowed

Your products are processed under USDA FSIS inspection.

You CAN sell:

Retail cuts
Boxes, bundles, subscriptions
Whole/half animal
Value-added meats
Wholesale

You can advertise:

Nationwide

Requirements

USDA-Inspected Meat Labels must include:

USDA Mark of Inspection with establishment number
FSIS-approved Product name
Handling statement (e.g., “Keep Frozen”)
Safe handling instructions for raw/partially cooked meat
Net weight statement
Ingredients list (if applicable)
Allergen declaration (if applicable)
Name and address of the producer, manufacturer, or distributor
Establishment Processor name & location
Nutrition Facts panel (when required under 9 CFR)

Harvest/pack date
Lot or batch number
Farm name
Storage life (“use or freeze by”)

Category 2

State-Inspected

Arkansas sales ONLY

Your products are processed under the Arkansas State Meat Inspection Program.

You CAN sell retail ONLY in Arkansas:

Retail cuts
Bundles & boxes
Value-added meats

You can advertise:

Within Arkansas ONLY

Requirements

State-Inspected Meat Labels:

A compliant Arkansas State–Inspected meat label must include:

Arkansas State Mark of Inspection with establishment number
FSIS-compliant Product name
Handling statement (e.g., “Keep Refrigerated,” “Keep Frozen”)
Safe handling instructions for raw/partially cooked meat
Net weight statement
Ingredient statement (if more than one ingredient)
Allergen declaration (e.g., “Contains: Soy”)
Name and address of the producer, manufacturer, or distributor
Processor name and location
Nutrition Facts panel (when required under state/FSIS rules)
Important limitation:
State-inspected products may ONLY be sold within Arkansas.

Online sales are allowed ONLY if the product is delivered inside the state.

Category 3

Custom-Exempt

LIVE Animal Sales ONLY

Your processing facility is custom-exempt.

NO RETAIL CUTS

Federal law PROHIBITS resale of meat from custom plants.

You CAN offer:

Live animals
Whole / half / quarter shares
Hanging weight pricing

You CANNOT offer:

Packaged cuts
Photos of vacuum-sealed CUT meat
Phrases like “steaks,” “roasts,” “ground beef”

You can advertise:

Arkansas only
Required disclaimer:

“This listing represents the sale of a live animal or a shared interest in a live animal. Processing occurs at a custom-exempt facility for personal household use only. Meat from custom-exempt facilities cannot be resold.”

Category 4

Poultry Exempt

Arkansas sales ONLY
Your a small poultry farms slaughtering under federal or state exemptions.

You CAN sell (depending on exemption type check the table BELOW:

Whole birds
Cuts
No interstate sales

You MUST:

Follow exemption volume limits (check table at the bottom of the page)
Label properly (“Exempt P.L. 90–492”)
Sell directly to household consumers
Use safe handling instructions
You CANNOT:

Use USDA inspection legend
Ship out-of-state

Category 5

Farm Fresh Shell Egg

You CAN sell:

Ungraded eggs
Farm-washed or unwashed eggs (according to state rules)
Direct to consumer within AR

Requirements:

Name + Address
Safe handling statement
Must be kept at required temps

You CANNOT:

Claim USDA grading unless officially graded
Ship across state lines unless graded, washed, labeled per federal law

Category 6

Dairy / Milk Value-Added

(Non-Pasteurized Restrictions Apply):

You CAN sell:

Allowed in AR:

Raw cow or goat milk sold ON-FARM ONLY
Cheese, butter, yogurt if made in an inspected facility

You MUST:

Meet state dairy code requirements
Use approved labeling (no health claims)

You CANNOT:

Sell raw milk off-farm (Arkansas restriction)
Ship out-of-state

Category 7

Cottage Products

Non-potentially hazardous foods made in a home kitchen.

You CAN sell:

Baked goods
Candies
Jams, jellies, preserves
Dried herbs
Dehydrated foods (non-perishable)
Spices
Some pickled foods

Requirements:

Label must say:
“This product was produced in a home kitchen not subject to inspection.”
Name + Address
Ingredients
Allergens

You cannot:

Sell refrigerated items

Sell anything requiring time/temperature controL
Ship out of state

Category 8

Produce & Horticulture

You CAN sell:

Whole, uncut fruits and vegetables
Cut flowers, nursery plants, herbs for ornamental use
Fresh unprocessed horticultural crops

Requirements:

Certain produce may be subject to Good Agricultural Practices or Produce Safety Rule if you exceed risk thresholds — contact local Cooperative Extension for guidance.

You CANNOT sell (without inspection/permitting):

Cut, sliced, or prepared produce intended for consumption (e.g., fruit salad)
Juices unless processed and packaged in a permitted facility
(safety rules apply to TCS products)

Category 9

Honey & Apiary Products

You CAN sell:

Honey (liquid, flavored, creamed)
Beeswax
Propolis
Pollen
Honeycomb

Requirements:

Products must be labeled accurately
- product identity
- producer info
- net weight

Honey may be sold:

Directly to consumers at markets
Through direct sales,
Retail outlets
NO ADH permit required for honey alone under Food Freedom. Arkansas Department of Health

You cannot sell: