Houston Health Department inspects food establishments under Code Ch. 20 and Texas Food Establishment Rules, posting numeric demerit scores online. Houston uses a numeric demerit system rather than the A/B/C letter grades used by Los Angeles County.
Houston Health Department's Bureau of Consumer Health Services inspects roughly 14,000 permitted food establishments under City Code Chapter 20 and the Texas Food Establishment Rules at 25 TAC §228. Inspectors assess critical and noncritical violations and assign demerit scores; results are published on the Health Department's online inspection database. A score over 30 demerits or repeat critical violations triggers reinspection within ten days, and ongoing failures can lead to permit suspension. Common violations include improper holding temperatures, cross-contamination, and inadequate handwashing facilities. Operators must display the most recent inspection report and correct critical violations before the inspector leaves the premises whenever possible.
Critical violations not corrected on site, scores above 30 demerits, or repeat findings result in reinspection fees, mandatory closures, and possible permit suspension by the Houston Health Department.
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