Texas Compliance Guide

Food Safety Plan for Texas Food Service Businesses

Regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Regulatory Division. Understand Texas's specific requirements under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 437 (Regulation of Food Service Establishments); 25 TAC Chapter 228 (Texas Food Establishment Rules) and generate your compliant document in minutes.

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Texas compliance requirements

Key regulatory details that make Texas different from the federal baseline.

Regulatory Agency

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Regulatory Division

Key State Statute

Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 437 (Regulation of Food Service Establishments); 25 TAC Chapter 228 (Texas Food Establishment Rules)

How Texas differs from the federal baseline

Texas requires all food employees to obtain a food handler certification within 60 days of employment. The certification is obtained through an accredited food handler training program and is valid for 2 years.
Texas adopted the FDA Food Code with state-specific modifications through the Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC 228), which include additional requirements for mobile food units and temporary food establishments.
Texas allows local health departments to conduct food safety inspections under delegation agreements with DSHS, so inspection practices can vary by county and city.

Penalty Information

Texas DSHS can impose administrative penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day. Local health departments can also impose fines, deny or revoke permits, and order immediate closure for imminent health hazards.

Texas context

Texas' decentralized health inspection system means food establishments may deal with city, county, or state inspectors depending on their location. The state's large food truck and mobile food vendor industry has specific permitting requirements that vary by jurisdiction.

What your Food Safety Plan covers

A comprehensive document with 11 sections and an estimated 25-35 pages, tailored to Texas requirements.

Sections

25-35

Estimated Pages

Texas compliance checklist

Actionable steps combining federal requirements with Texas-specific obligations.

Develop a written Food Safety Plan based on HACCP principles and FDA Food Code

Ensure all food employees obtain food handler certification within 60 days of hire

Obtain required food establishment permits from your local health department or DSHS

Identify whether your inspections are conducted by city, county, or state authorities

Implement temperature logging for all cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding processes

Maintain food handler certification records and make them available during inspections

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