|
Food vendors must go through health department |
|
Written by Staff Reports
|
|
Thursday, 04 March 2010 |
There are many requirements to opening a new restaurant, a retail food establishment. If you are considering opening a food establishment, the best approach is to come by the Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department (SNCHD) and ask for a copy of “Texas Food Establishment Rules”. This book contains the guidelines, policy, standards and quality assurance for food establishments. The cost is $10. It can be downloaded from the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/foodestablishments/default.shtm.
There are certain criteria that must be met in order to open for business, so those wishing to open a food establishment must first contact SNCHD and request an application. Following the application process and inspection, vendors will be required to pay a fee of $15. A food establishment cannot be opened without a county health permit. State and county law requires a permit to sell food to the public.
A temporary vendor is a food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
A roadside food vendor is a person who operates a mobile retail food store from a temporary location adjacent to a public road or highway. Food shall not be prepared or processed by a roadside food vendor.
A mobile food vendor is a vehicle mounted food establishment that is readily moveable. A mobile food vendor is required to meet all requirements as a retail food establishment.
A temporary food vendor, a roadside food vendor and a mobile food vendor must also obtain an application and be inspected, and permitted before selling consumable goods to the public.
A permitted food vendor should notify the SNCHD of any change in locations.
If you have any questions, please contact Don Ware or Linda Kite at 235-5463 or come by the health department. Our website is www.nolancountyhealth.com. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 March 2010 )
|
