Consumer Microbiology

Testing Services

The Consumer Microbiology Team of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) tests:

Drinking Water Testing

• Public water systems (cities, etc.)
• Individuals with private wells

Food and Shellfish Testing

• For regulatory purposes
• To insure safe food for public consumption
• In the case of a food-borne outbreak

Also participates in:

• Proficiency sampling annually
• Testing in the case of a food-borne outbreak: Samples submitted by the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease (EAID) Unit and sanitarians from the Environmental & Consumer Safety Section (ECSS)

Milk and Dairy Testing

• As part of a national regulatory program
• As the result of complaints: implicated product is submitted by the Milk Group

Regulation

Drinking Water

Regulation:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water FAQs:

• Water on Tap: What You Need to Know

Food and Seafood 

Regulation:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Foodborne Illness

Food Consumer Advice:

• Safe Food Handling: What You Need to Know
• Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving it Safely
• Consumer Advice
• Food Safety
• Food Borne Disease Outbreak Reporting

Milk and Dairy

Regulation: 

• FDA Milk Safety References

For more information about these regulatory agencies, refer to the Consumer Microbiology Links page.

Related DSHS Programs

• Food safety: Foods Group
• Milk safety: Milk & Dairy Division
• Meat safety: Meat Safety Assurance
• Retain foods: Food Establishments Group
• Seafood safety: Seafood and Aquatic Group

Note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.