Texas Department of State Health Services - Consumer Microbiology Section

Consumer Microbiology

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The Consumer Microbiology Team of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) tests: Drinking water Food and shellfish Milk and dairy products
Drinking Water Tests drinking water for: public water systems (cities, etc.) individuals with private wells
Food and Shellfish Tests food and shellfish: for regulatory purposes to insure safe food for public consumption in the case of a food borne outbreak
Also participates in: proficiency sampling annually through the FDA testing in the case of a food borne outbreak: samples submitted by the Infectious Disease Control Unit (IDCU) and sanitarians from the Environmental & Consumer Safety Section (ECSS) Milk and Dairy Tests milk and dairy products as part of a national regulatory program as the result of complaints: implicated product is submitted by the Milk Group
Regulatory Agencies Drinking water is regulated by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Food and shellfish testing and Milk and Dairy testing are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information about these regulatory agences, refer to the Consumer Microbiology Links page. 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.