Retail Food Safety - Public Health Region 8

Purpose

To protect public health through the efficient operation of a comprehensive, progressive retail food protection program focusing on education, training, and oversight, which will ultimately reduce the potential for foodborne illness in Texas.

History

The Department of State Health Services started the state retail food inspection program after passing Senate Bill 241 during the 73rd legislative session in 1993.  The law requires DSHS to permit and inspect retail food facilities in areas of the state where no local health authority regulates the services.

Activities

The Retail Food Safety inspectors in Region 8:

• Conduct retail food inspections
• Respond to inquiries from consumers and local health jurisdictions
• Interface with other programs in Region 8 to solve problems regarding the food supply and provide more efficient services for our clients 

Support

* Local inspectors conduct inspections in one or more municipality in the County. Region 8 counties not included in the above table have local inspectors who conduct all food establishment inspections.

Resources

Licensing information, applications, and forms are available on the following websites.

• Certificates of Free Sale / Certificates of Origin
• Drug Manufacturers and Distributors
• Food Handler Certification
• Food Manager Training Programs
• Food Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Warehouses
• Milk and Dairy
• Retail Food Service Establishments
• Salvage Brokers and Establishments
• Seafood and Aquatic Life
• Tattoo and Body Piercing

If you are unable to locate the information that you are looking for, please try one of the following resources:

• Food and Drug Licensing - Sitemap
• Drugs and Medical Devices Group - Sitemap
• Regulatory Services - Sitemap