Texas food service licensing

For those establishments under DSHS jurisdiction, there are three documents posted on this website that specify most of the minimum requirements for fixed retail food establishments restaurants and grocery stores , mobile food establishments, and temporary food establishments:. DSHS has regulatory jurisdiction and enforces the TFER in those areas of the state that are not permitted or inspected by a local health authority.

You should contact the appropriate local health department, if your complaint pertains to an establishment located in an area with a local health department. Please see the " Complaint Process " page for information on filing a complaint or contact the Food Establishment Group at , if you would like to discuss your complaint, file a complaint by telephone, or find the contact information for the appropriate local health department. Skip to content 3. What type of retail food businesses need a retail food permit?

Is there an inspection form to be used with the TFER? What are the minimum requirements to open a retail food establishment? For those establishments under DSHS jurisdiction, there are three documents posted on this website that specify most of the minimum requirements for fixed retail food establishments restaurants and grocery stores , mobile food establishments, and temporary food establishments: Starting a New Retail Food Establishment Mobile Food Establishment Checklist Temporary Food Establishment Permit and Compliance Requirements Temporary Food Establishment Checklist.

An animal food that is raw or heat-treated. A plant food that is heat-treated or consists of raw seed sprouts, cut melons, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes or mixture of cut tomatoes that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation, or garlic-in-oil mixtures that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation.

Please let us know how we are doing by completing our customer service survey. Report Website Issues. A retail food establishment is any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service. This includes the site at which individual portions are provided for consumption on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food. A retail food store is a food establishment or section of an establishment where food and food products are offered to the consumer and intended for off-premise consumption.

This includes delicatessens that offer prepared food in bulk quantities only, grocery stores, markets, etc. Fees for initial applications, renewals, and change of ownership are based on gross annual volume of food sales. Mobile food units are defined as a vehicle-mounted mobile food establishment, designed to be readily moveable. To apply for a Variance, please submit all requested information to our compliance department. A roadside food vendor is a person who operates a mobile retail food store from a temporary location adjacent to a public roadway or highway.

Please contact your local regulatory agency for more information. A food handler is defined by law as a person who works in a food facility and performs any duties that involve the preparation, storage or service of food in a food facility.

The course is available in English and Spanish,. State Requirements: One certified manager per location. Food Protection Manager: Required. Food Handlers: Required. Exceptions: None. Manager Training Hours: No regulations on training or specific training. Food Handler Course: Training must be approved by the state.