Sec. 437.0057. REGULATION OF FOOD HANDLERS AND OTHER FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES BY COUNTIES, PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICTS, AND THE DEPARTMENT. (a) A county, a public health district, or the department may require certification under Subchapter D, Chapter 438, for each food handler who is employed by a food service establishment in which food is prepared on-site for sale to the public and which holds a permit issued by the county, the public health district, or the department. This section applies without regard to whether the food service establishment is at a fixed location or is a mobile food unit.
(b) The requirements of certification under this section may not be more stringent than the requirements of Subchapter D, Chapter 438.
(c) A county, a public health district, or the department may not require an establishment that handles only prepackaged food and does not prepare or package food to employ certified food handlers under this section.
(d) A county, a public health district, or the department may exempt a food service establishment from the requirement that the county, public health district, or department has imposed under Subsection (a) if the county, the public health district, or the department determines that the application of Subsection (a) to that establishment is not necessary to protect public health and safety.
(e) A county, a public health district, or the department may require a food service establishment to:
(1) post a sign in a place conspicuous to employees, in a form adopted by the executive commissioner, describing a food service employee's responsibilities to report certain health conditions to the permit holder under rules adopted by the executive commissioner; or
(2) require that each food service employee sign a written agreement in a form adopted by the executive commissioner to report those health conditions.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 926 (H.B. 3012), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1122, eff. April 2, 2015.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 6 - Food, Drugs, Alcohol, and Hazardous Substances
Subtitle A - Food and Drug Health Regulations
Section 437.002. Enforcement of State Law by County or Public Health District
Section 437.003. County Authority to Require Permit
Section 437.004. Public Health District Authority to Require Permit
Section 437.005. Public Hearing
Section 437.0056. Rulemaking Authority
Section 437.006. More Than One Permit Prohibited
Section 437.0065. Permits for Certain Farmers and Food Producers
Section 437.007. Nonprofit Organizations Exempt
Section 437.0073. Medallion for Mobile Food Units in Certain Populous Municipalities
Section 437.0074. Mobile Food Units in Certain Populous Counties
Section 437.0075. Food Managers in Certain Populous Counties
Section 437.0076. Certified Food Manager
Section 437.008. Permit Renewal
Section 437.010. Submission of Plans and Subsequent Inspection
Section 437.011. Inspection of Existing Entities on Adoption of Order
Section 437.012. County and Public Health District Fees
Section 437.0123. County and Public Health District Fees in Certain Populous Counties
Section 437.0124. County and Public Health District Fee Schedule
Section 437.0125. Department Fees
Section 437.013. Audited Statement
Section 437.014. Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Permit
Section 437.0145. Emergency Suspension or Closing Order
Section 437.0155. Department Injunction
Section 437.0165. Criminal Penalty: Violation of Department Permit Requirement
Section 437.017. Conflict With Alcoholic Beverage Code
Section 437.018. Administrative Penalty
Section 437.0185. Administrative Penalty by Public Health District or County
Section 437.0186. Assessment of Administrative Penalty
Section 437.019. Exemption for Certain Bed and Breakfast Establishments
Section 437.0191. Exemption for Cottage Food Production Operations
Section 437.0193. Packaging and Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Production Operations
Section 437.0194. Certain Sales by Cottage Food Production Operations Prohibited or Restricted
Section 437.0195. Production of Cottage Food Products
Section 437.01951. Requirements for Sale of Certain Cottage Foods
Section 437.01952. Requirements for Sale of Frozen Fruit or Vegetables
Section 437.0197. Exemption for Small Honey Production Operation
Section 437.0198. Regulation of Small Honey Production Operation Prohibited
Section 437.0199. Labeling Requirements for Small Honey Production Operation
Section 437.020. Regulation of Food Samples at Farms and Farmers' Markets
Section 437.0201. Regulation of Food at Farmers' Markets Under Temporary Food Establishment Permits
Section 437.0202. Temperature Requirements for Food at Farmers' Markets
Section 437.0203. Regulation of Cooking Demonstrations at Farmers' Markets
Section 437.021. Authority to Operate on Certain Property
Section 437.023. Service Animals
Section 437.025. Requirements for Dogs in Outdoor Dining Areas; Municipal Preemption
Section 437.026. Sale of Certain Food by Food Service Establishment