Texas Food Handler Education Act requires anyone who handles unpackaged food to complete an accredited food handler training course within sixty days of hire. Fort Worth restaurants must keep certificates on file for inspection by Consumer Health.
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 438, the state Food Handler Education Act requires food employees who handle unpackaged food, food equipment, or food-contact surfaces to complete an accredited food handler course within sixty days of hire. Courses are short, online, inexpensive, and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Certificates remain valid for two years. Fort Worth restaurants, grocery delis, food trucks, and concession operators must maintain copies of each worker's certificate on site and produce them on request. The Texas Food Establishment Rules also require at least one Certified Food Manager per establishment, a separate higher-tier credential earned by passing an ANSI-accredited exam.
Employing uncertified food handlers beyond sixty days, lacking certificates on site, or operating without a Certified Food Manager triggers municipal citations, scoring deductions on health inspections, and potential permit suspension under Fort Worth Code Chapter 16 and state law.
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Public Health and Code Compliance inspect food establishments under City Code Chapter 16 and post numerical scores online. Unlike Los Angeles or N...
Fort Worth, TX
Texas Cottage Food Law allows Fort Worth residents to sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods with no city permit, up to $50,000 per year in gross sale...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth requires mobile food vendors to obtain a Mobile Food Unit permit from the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Health Department. Operators must also have a ...
See how Fort Worth's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.