§ 13-1. State food service sanitation rules adopted by reference.

Texas Administrative Code Title 25: ch 228 Texas Food Establishment Rules by the Texas Department of Health, Division of Food and Drugs, as amended October 1, 2015 are adopted by reference as an ordinance of the city governing the operation of food service establishments and will be overseen and enforced by the City of Laredo health department director.

The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard public health and provide to consumers food that is safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented. The rules in this chapter are based in part upon Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2, Food and Drugs, Parts 1—1499 and implement Health and Safety Code, Chapter 437, Regulation of Food Service Establishments, Retail Food Stores, Mobile Food Units, and Roadside Vendors.

Summary of changes:

Subchapter A: New definitions.

Subchapter B: All must complete food handlers training.

Subchapter C: Clarification on temperature changes on cold foods up to 70 degrees.

Subchapter D: Sanitation of equipment, utensils, linens (tableware must be changed between customers or washed, sanitized).

Subchapter E: Addresses water, plumbing, and waste for mobile vendors prohibiting use of showers as a service sink.

Subchapter F: Requires establishments to have anti-slip floor covering.

Subchapter G: Allows the use of chemicals for sanitizing fresh fruits and vegetables and requires establishments to have first aid supplies.

Subchapter H: All establishments, including mobile food vendors, must have certified food handler on site.

Subchapter I: Compliance of temporary food establishment and safe water systems. (Ord. No. 2015-O-166 , § 1, 12-7-15)