DSHS COVID-19 Information for Businesses & Employers
Stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 information on the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) COVID-19 web page at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/business.aspx.
Related Licenses and Information
This website contains information on licensure and regulation of food manufacturers, food wholesalers, and warehousing facilities. For information on other topics, please see the program websites listed below:
Regulatory authority has been granted to DSHS, under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the Food Drug, and Cosmetic Salvage Act of the Texas Health and Safety Code, to prevent the unlawful manufacture or distribution of adulterated and misbranded food. In addition to the regulatory responsibilities, focus is directed to food safety and the education of firms that manufacture and wholesale food in the State of Texas.
Update on Hurricane Harvey Waivers for DSHS
License Holders
On August 23, 2017, the Office of the Governor issued a
disaster proclamation in response to Hurricane Harvey and temporarily suspended
the statutes and rules pertaining to professional and business licenses or
certification renewal applications. During the suspension, DSHS extended
license expiration dates for professionals and businesses in the affected
counties and waived the late fees for those who submitted renewal applications.
On December 17, 2018, the Office of
the Governor terminated the suspension of the DSHS statutes and rules related
to the Hurricane Harvey disaster.
Effective March 1, 2019, DSHS will no longer extend license
expiration dates or waive late fees for any licensed professionals or
businesses in the following counties:
Angelina,
Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson,
Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort
Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jackson,
Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon,
Liberty, Live Oak, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces,
Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio,
Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Willacy, and
Wilson.
What this Means for License Holders in these counties:
To avoid a late fee, you will need to
submit your license or certification renewal application with the required fees
along with any required supplemental documentation, in accordance with the applicable
requirements for your license or certification type by February 28, 2019.
Late
fees will be assessed on applications postmarked on or after March 1, 2019.
The current status of a license may also be verified online.
Email Updates
Sign up to receive email updates about important changes to the Food Manufacturers and Wholesalers Program. This feature will serve as a tool to increase communication with license holders regarding new information added to the website.
Contact Information
For Food Manufacture/Wholesale/Warehouse Program Inquiries
Email: Foods Group
Phone: (512) 834-6670
Fax: (512) 834-6681
For Licensing Assistance
Email: Foods Licensing Group
Phone: (512) 834-6626
Fax: (512) 834-6618
Mailing addresses may be found on the contact page.