What does the HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Services' Food Inspection Program do?

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.  Continuing education on food safety is offered in several ways.

• All food service managers must attend a class and pass a written test on food safety to receive a food manager's certificate. A certified manager must be on duty at the food establishment at all times that food is being handled.  Classes and information are available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, as well as English. The certificate is good for three years. Renewal classes are offered in all languages.

• Each year, a food establishment will receive unannounced routine inspections by an inspector (sanitarian). Routine inspections address safe food handling practices and sanitation. As the inspector finds problems, deficiencies are recorded on the inspection form. He/she will explain the public health rationale and demonstrate the correct way to safely prepare food and protect it from contamination. The number of inspections made each year is based on the risk factors of the establishment and the establishment’s sanitation history. The more hazards identified at a food establishment, the more inspections it will receive.

• Inspectors provide at least one annual visit to all establishments.

There are approximately 35 sanitarians who monitor approximately 12,000 food service establishments and about 5,000 temporary food permits.

When necessary, inspectors take action to enforce the City Code. Actions are taken when there is an immediate health risk or the operator has not responded to previous inspections and trainings.  Enforcement actions may include citations, temporary closure, product quarantine and license revocation.

Who is responsible for food safety in food service establishments? 

The operator or the owner of the food service establishment is responsible for food safety and code compliance. The standards and regulation for food safety are found in the city ordinance. The Bureau of Consumer Health Services assists and supports the food service establishment in fulfilling its responsibilities through education, training, monitoring and regulation.

Return to the Consumer Health index page

Contact the HDHHS Bureau of Consumer Health Services