Food safety is serious business in Texas. Our efforts are dedicated toward elimination of food borne illness in the Lone Star State through personal and professional excellence. This endeavor requires the help of all public health regions, state and federal agencies, local and city health departments, private industry, and the public. Through teamwork and diligent effort, we can accomplish our mission, "to protect the 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 food borne illness in Texas."
Update on Hurricane Harvey Waivers for DSHS
License Holders
On August 23, 2017, the Office of the Governor issued a
disaster proclamation in response to Hurricane Harvey and temporarily suspended
the statutes and rules pertaining to professional and business licenses or
certification renewal applications. During the suspension, DSHS extended
license expiration dates for professionals and businesses in the affected
counties and waived the late fees for those who submitted renewal applications.
On December 17, 2018, the Office of
the Governor terminated the suspension of the DSHS statutes and rules related
to the Hurricane Harvey disaster.
Effective March 1, 2019, DSHS will no longer extend license
expiration dates or waive late fees for any licensed professionals or
businesses in the following counties:
Angelina,
Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson,
Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort
Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jackson,
Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon,
Liberty, Live Oak, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces,
Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio,
Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Willacy, and
Wilson.
What this Means for License Holders in these counties:
To avoid a late fee, you will need to
submit your license or certification renewal application with the required fees
along with any required supplemental documentation, in accordance with the applicable
requirements for your license or certification type by February 28, 2019.
Late
fees will be assessed on applications postmarked on or after March 1, 2019.
The current status of a license may also be verified online.
The NEW Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) went into effect on October 11, 2015. In order to find a copy of the new Rules, please visit our Laws and Rules page, along with the Guidance and Publications page, where you will find updated Regulatory Clarifications and Guidance Documents for use with the new TFER.
Permitting
Food service establishments are classified in the following areas:
See the permitting requirements page for descriptions of each establishment type, as well as an overview of licensing options and associated fees.
Email Updates
Sign up to receive email updates about important changes on the Texas Food Establishment Rules and important changes to the Food Establishment Program. This feature will serve as a tool to increase communication with license holders regarding new information added to the website.
Contact Information
For General Program Assistance
Email: Retail Food Service Establishments Program
Phone: (512) 834-6753
Fax: (512) 834-6683
For Licensing and Permitting Assistance
Email: Food and Drug Business Filing and Verification Unit
Phone: (512) 834-6626
Fax: (512) 834-6618
Mailing addresses may be found on the contact page.