Food Establishments Group
The Foods Establishments Group is part of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Division for Regulatory Services. DSHS began implementation of the state retail food inspection program after passage of Senate Bill 241 during the 1993 73rd legislative session. The law requires DSHS to permit and inspect retail food facilities in areas of the state where no local health authority currently regulates.
The Food Establishments Group (FEG) provides oversight for the implementation of the retail food inspection program conducted by state investigators and provides technical supervision to the field staff. The FEG responds to inquiries from consumers, local health jurisdictions and regulated industry and writes interpretations on the Texas Food Establishment Rules. The FEG interfaces with other programs within the Division for Regulatory Services to solve problems regarding the food supply in Texas and to provide more efficient services for our clients. The FEG also interacts with Federal agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for interpretations of the FDA Model Food Code.
VISION STATEMENT
We dedicate our efforts to strive toward elimination of foodborne illness in the State of Texas through personal and professional excellence.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to protect public health through the efficient operation of a comprehensive, progressive retail food protection program focussing on education, training, and oversight, which will ultimately reduce the potential for foodborne illness in Texas.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Consider our vision statement, mission and guiding principles when making decisions and recommendations.
- Place integrity of purpose first when making decisions and recommendations.
- Deliver all services fairly, uniformly, and ethically.
- Promote knowledge and understanding among all of our customers.
- Promote food safety using current, preventive, risk-based techniques.
- Lead by example.
STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
- Increase consumer and industry food safety knowledge through increased protection management certification other training.
- Promote uniformity of enforcement among cities, counties, and public health districts through a comprehensive standardization training program.
- Reduce the number of critical violations noted on facility inspections.
- Reduce the number of compliance actions taken each year.