Can I use social media to promote my business without violating advertising laws in Iowa? What are the requirements?

Based on the documents provided, you can use social media to promote your business in Iowa without violating advertising laws. However, it is important to ensure that any social media promotion complies with other applicable laws and regulations. If you are promoting food products, you must comply with the requirements outlined in IACO 137F.20 ^[3.1].

Advertising Laws in Iowa

According to IACO 306B.2, advertising devices cannot be erected or maintained within 660 feet of the edge of the right-of-way of the interstate system, except in areas zoned and used for commercial or industrial purposes under authority of law, regulation, or ordinance of this state or a political subdivision of this state. This means that if your business is located in an area zoned for commercial or industrial purposes, you may be able to use advertising devices within the specified distance from the interstate system. Violating this law can result in a simple misdemeanor ^[1.2].

Social Media Promotion

There are no specific laws or regulations in Iowa that prohibit the use of social media to promote businesses. However, it is important to ensure that any social media promotion complies with other applicable laws and regulations. For example, if you are promoting food products, you must comply with the requirements outlined in IACO 137F.20 ^[3.1].

Requirements for Promoting Food Products

If you are promoting food products, you must comply with the requirements outlined in IACO 137F.20. This includes affixing or labeling the food with information to identify the name and address, phone number, or electronic mail address of the person preparing the food, the common name of the food, the ingredients of the cottage food in descending order of predominance, and a statement indicating that the product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. If the food contains one or more major food allergens, an additional allergen statement must be included on the label identifying each major allergen contained in the food by the common name of the allergen. If the food is home-processed and home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits permitted under this section, the date that the food was processed and canned must also be included ^[3.1].

Conclusion

In summary, you can use social media to promote your business in Iowa without violating advertising laws. However, it is important to ensure that any social media promotion complies with other applicable laws and regulations. If you are promoting food products, you must comply with the requirements outlined in IACO 137F.20.

Source(s):

• [1.2] Misdemeanor.
• [3.1] Cottage food — requirements.

Jurisdiction

Iowa

• General