The Arkansas Department of Agriculture plays a key role in ensuring the quality, safety, and proper labeling of poultry, turkey, eggs, and rabbit products across the state. Operating under a cooperative agreement with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the Section provides grading, inspection, and certification services in accordance with federal and state standards.
This program enforces the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act, which authorizes inspectors to enter stores, markets, vehicles, and other facilities where eggs are bought, sold, or stored to verify that products meet the labeled grade standards. These inspections help protect consumers and promote transparency and consistency within the marketplace.
The Egg and Poultry Section includes USDA-licensed graders and inspectors who support food safety and the success of Arkansas’s poultry and egg industries by ensuring products are clean, properly handled, and accurately graded.
Contact: Cheri Ellis
Email: [email protected]
Requirements to Sell Country Eggs
The egg producer shall be permitted to sell ungraded eggs to a retailer provided the producer owns less than seven hundred (700) hens and the following requirements are met:
- Eggs are washed and clean
- Eggs are prepackaged and identified as ungraded with the name and address of the producer
- Used cartons are not used unless all brand markings and other identification is obliterated
- Retailer must keep invoice for two years indicating who the eggs were purchased from, date, and amount of eggs bought
- Eggs are refrigerated and maintained at a temperature of 45°F or below.
Containers for storage eggs refrigerated by means of ice, dry ice, or other non-powered refrigerated container are not acceptable.
This regulation applies to locations such as flea markets, farmers markets, fruit stands, etc.
Resources
- Application for Arkansas Egg Handler Permit – Required for individuals or businesses handling eggs for sale in Arkansas.
- Egg Certificate of Free Sale Form – Certifies that egg products are legally sold in Arkansas and eligible for trade.
- Egg Inspection Fee Report – Submit required inspection fees as part of egg handler regulatory compliance.
- Sanitation Requirements for Non-Official Shell Egg Plants (PDF) – Guidance for facilities not under continuous USDA inspection.