HB 1826 Summary

• Creates the Chocolate-Covered Cherry Freedom Act of 2017 to exempt certain confectioneries containing alcohol from regulatory restrictions under Arkansas alcoholic control and food safety laws

• Exempts confectionery products containing less than 5% alcohol by volume from the definition of adulterated food, provided the alcohol is in nonliquid form mixed with other substances

• Requires confectionery products containing between 0.5% and 5% alcohol by volume to bear a label stating "This product contains up to 5% alcohol by volume"

• Extends existing prohibitions on furnishing intoxicating liquor to minors to include confectioneries containing between 0.5% and 5% alcohol by volume, with penalties of $200-$500 for unknowing sales and criminalization for knowing sales

• Amends Arkansas Code § 3-1-103(c) to add confectionery products to the list of exempted products not subject to the Arkansas Alcoholic Control Act