Sugar Land, TX Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

City Code Sec. 3-74(a) requires food establishments to operate under the supervision of a person holding a valid certified food protection manager's certificate issued by or through a program recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and that certificate must have been issued within the last five years to remain valid. Sec. 3-74(b) requires an establishment with multiple preparation or processing areas, or areas too far apart for one person to supervise effectively, to have a certified manager present in each area. Sec.

3-74(d) requires the certified manager to keep the certification card on their person while on duty and produce it for a city food inspector on request. Separately, Sec. 3-74(f) requires every food establishment employee involved in preparing food served to the public to obtain a food handler certification through a course that imparts the knowledge required of a person in charge under the Texas Food Establishment Rules and 2022 FDA Food Code, and that is recognized by the state. Sec. 3-74(h) extends the staffing requirement to temporary events: at least one certified food protection manager or food handler must be present at each booth or stand operating under a single-event, multiple-event, or farmer's market permit during all hours of operation.

The city can disqualify a certified manager or remove a food handler from duties under Sec. 3-74(e) and (g) for interfering with a city inspection or for repeated or serious violations of food, health, or operating regulations while employed there.