FOOD INSPECTION AND SAFETY

The HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Service's role is to carry out a city-wide program for food safety to promote health and to prevent food-borne disease through education, training and regulation. This system is designed to work in partnership with the people who make the day-to-day decisions that actually determine food safety - the owners, operators and employees of all food service establishments.

Food dealer’s permits are required to operate food service establishments, once they meet all the requirements of the city ordinance. Education services are provided to assist managers and workers in creating and maintaining safe food service operations and requirements of the Houston food code. 

• Food Establishment Complaint Intake Form
• Summary of Revised Food Ordinance (2007)
• Searchable Code of Ordinances: go to page and scroll down to Chapter 20 - FOOD AND DRUGS
• Food inspection reports online
• What does the HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Services' Food Inspection Program do?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Caterers Instructions
• How to contact the HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Services' Food Inspection Program
• How to Open a Food Establishment in the City of Houston

Additional Links

• Annex 6--2005 Food Code: Food Processing Criteria (1) Introduction (2) Reduced Oxygen Packaging (3) Smoking and Curing
• Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Foods
• Chapter 20 Food and Drugs Ordinance (includes plumbing descriptions)
• Cooking and Baking under the Federal Youth Employment Provisions of Fair Labor Standards Act
• El Empleo de Jóvenes en Restaurantes bajo la Ley de Normas Razonables de Trabajo (Employing youth in Restaurants under the Fair Labor Standards Act)
  
• Employing Youth in Grocery Stores under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Employing Youth in Restaurants and Quick-Service Establishments under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Employment Standards Administration (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launches new campaign, 'Food Safety for Moms-to-be'
• Form A: Conditional Employee And Food Employee Interview
• Form B: Conditional Employee and Food Employee Reporting Agreement
• Form - Menu Description/Disclosure for Mobile Food Units
• Form - Mobile Food Unit Standard Operating Procedures
• Food Inspection Guide
• Food Safety Health Tips
• Food Service Manager Certification Information
• Hazardous Occupations Order No. 12 Rules for Employing Youth and the Loading of Power-Driven Balers and Compactors under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Immunizations information
• Information on Mobile Service Food Units
• Kitchen Compliance Self-Inspection check list
• Links to Other Food Safety Web Sites to Visit
• Managing Food Safety: A Manual for the Voluntary Use of HACCP Principles for Operators of Food Service and Retail Food Establishments
  
• Nutrition Services
• Post-Disaster Food Protection Guidelines
• Post-Disaster Food Surveillance Guidelines
• Produce Safety
• Public Information Request Form
• Request for a Variance/Exemption
• Request for a Variance/Waiver Instruction Sheet
• Services Provided by the Bureau of Consumer Health
• Smoking Ordinance Information
• Smoking Ordinance Questions and Answers (Q&A)
• Suggested No Smoking Sign text and size for posting in food establishments pdf
• Supporting Houston Food Ordinance Requirements for Variances and Waivers
• Temporary Food Permit Guidelines and Forms
• Unidades Moviles De Servicio Alimenticio

Contact the HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Services

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