Retail Food Establishment Rules
Requirements for food protection, sanitation, facilities, daily operations, plan review, permits and inspections.
Download the agency PDF
Arkansas operator resources
Find Arkansas food and alcohol rules, permitting guidance, food-safety training, food donation and waste-reduction programs in one place.
Food rulesAlcohol permitsInspectionsFood rescueRecycling
Official rules
Start with the source.
Use Arkansas's official searchable rules for current requirements. Printable agency PDFs are included as convenient reference copies.
Arkansas ABC Rules
Rules governing alcoholic beverage permits, service, operations and enforcement in Arkansas.
Use the Code of Arkansas Rules for the current searchable version. Download the ABC rulebook PDF
Common next steps
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What do you need to do next?
Prepare for food permits and inspections
Find inspection reports, temporary-food guidance, training materials and the Arkansas Department of Health food-protection resources.
Open food protection hubSearch food inspectionsHandle ABC applications and renewals
Review application prerequisites, renewals, service rules and answers to common permit questions from Arkansas ABC.
Open ABC guidanceRequest an ABC applicationTrain your food-safety team
Find ServSafe Manager and food-handler training, certification information and direct help from AHA.
Find ServSafe trainingContact AHAResponsible operations
Put surplus food and materials to better use.
These programs can help reduce waste, support Arkansas communities and build more sustainable practices. Service areas and participation requirements vary.
Potluck Food Rescue
Restaurants, hotels, caterers and events can offer eligible prepared and perishable food for rescue and community distribution.
Central Arkansas service area. Potluck can coordinate regular or as-needed pickups.
Arkansas Foodbank
Connect eligible bulk, retail and food-service surplus with a pantry or feeding program through the Foodbank's donation network.
Find a regional food bank statewideGlass pickup for businesses
EPIC Glass Recycling provides commercial totes and pickup schedules tailored to a business's glass volume.
Compare Little Rock recycling providersLittle Rock Green Restaurant Program
Use a practical walkthrough and City support to improve food-waste, recycling, packaging and fats, oils and grease practices.
See recognized green restaurantsAvailable to restaurants within the City of Little Rock.
AHA member support
Need help finding the right starting point?
AHA can connect members with training and help identify the appropriate agency or community partner.