The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adulterated.
The condition of a food:
(1) 
If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance, such food shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in such food does not ordinarily render it injurious to health;
(2) 
If it bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (except a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity and except a food additive) which is unsafe within the meaning of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 431.161, as amended;
(3) 
If it is a raw agricultural commodity and it bears or contains a pesticide chemical which is unsafe within the meaning of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 431.161, as amended;
(4) 
If it is, or it bears or contains, any food additive which is unsafe within the meaning of the Health and Safety Code of Texas, as amended; provided, that where a pesticide chemical has been used in or on a raw agricultural commodity in conformity with an exemption granted or a tolerance prescribed under V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 431.161, and such raw agricultural commodity has been subjected to processing such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydrating, or milling, the residue of such pesticide chemical remaining in or on such processed food shall, notwithstanding the provisions of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 431.161, not be deemed unsafe if such residue in or on the raw agricultural commodity has been removed to the extent possible in good manufacturing practice, and the concentration of such residue in the processed food, when ready to eat, is not greater than the tolerance prescribed for the raw agricultural commodity;
(5) 
If it contains in whole or in part any diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or if it is otherwise unfit for foods;
(6) 
If it has been produced, prepared, packed or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health;
(7) 
If it is the product of any diseased animal or an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter, or that has been fed the uncooked offal from a slaughterhouse;
(8) 
If its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or
(9) 
If it is otherwise in violation of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 431.081, as amended.
Approved.
Acceptable to the health officer based on his determination as to conformance with appropriate standards and good public health practice.
Caterer.
(1) 
A food service establishment where food is prepared for delivery to a customer, and from which this food is transported to the customer at a separate location where it is meant to be served and consumed; or
(2) 
A mobile food vendor who is not the operator of a food service establishment, but who transports food prepared in a food service establishment to a customer at a separate location where it is meant to be served and consumed.
Closed.
Without openings large enough for the entrance of insects or other vermin.
Commissary.
A catering establishment, restaurant or any other place in which food, containers or supplies are kept, handled, prepared, packaged or stored.
Corrosion-resistant materials.
Those materials that maintain their original surface characteristics under prolonged influence of the food to be contacted, the normal use of cleaning compounds and bactericidal solutions, and other conditions of the use environment.
Easily cleanable.
Surfaces are readily accessible and made of such materials and finish and so fabricated that residue may be effectively removed by normal cleaning methods.
Employee.
An individual having supervisory or management duties and any other person working in a food establishment, operating a mobile food vending unit or working in connection with a food vending machine operation.
Equipment.
Stoves, ovens, ranges, hoods, slicers, mixers, meat blocks, tables, counters, refrigerators, sinks, dishwashing machines, steam tables and similar items other than utensils, used in the operation of a food establishment.
Food.
Any raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, beverage or ingredient used or intended for use or for sale, in whole or in part, for human consumption.
Food-contact surface.
Those surfaces of equipment and utensils with which food normally comes in contact, and those surfaces from which food may drain, drip, or splash back onto surfaces normally in contact with food.
Food handler.
A food service employee or volunteer who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces.
Food service establishment.
Any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service, and includes the site at which individual portions are provided. The term includes any such place regardless of whether consumption is on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food. The term also includes delicatessen-type operations that prepare sandwiches intended for individual portion service. The term does not include private homes where food is prepared or served for individual family consumption, retail food stores, food products establishments, the locations of food vending machines and supply vehicles.
Health officer.
The health officer of the city or his authorized representative, the city sanitarian, or any person authorized by the health officer of the city.
Hermetically sealed container.
A container designed and intended to be secure against the entry of microorganisms and to maintain the commercial sterility of its contents after processing.
Kitchenware.
All multiuse utensils other than tableware.
Law.
Includes federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations.
Microwave oven.
A device designed to heat, cook or dry food through the application of electromagnetic energy at frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission in the normal ISM heating bands ranging from 890 megahertz to 6,000 megahertz. The term applies only to those microwave ovens manufactured for use in homes, food establishments, food-vending areas or intrastate or interstate carriers and similar facilities.
Misbranded.
The presence of any written, printed, or graphic matter upon or accompanying food or containers of food, including signs or placards displayed in relation to such products, which is false or misleading or which violates any applicable federal, state or local labeling requirements.
Mobile food vendor.
A person who:
(1) 
Travels by any conveyance or walks from place to place transporting food and offering the same for consumption with or without charge;
(2) 
Without traveling from place to place, offers food for consumption with or without charge from any conveyance;
(3) 
Solicits orders and as a separate transaction, makes deliveries of food products to purchasers; or
(4) 
Delivers food from a fixed location outside the city to food establishments located inside the city.
The term does not include persons making deliveries of food from a food establishment operated by them or their employees to another food establishment nor does it include persons who cater food from a food service establishment operated by them or their employers.
Nonprofit.
A not-for-profit corporation organized pursuant to the laws of the state, and operating under current Articles of Incorporation on file with the Texas Secretary of State’s office, and in good standing.
Packaged.
Bottled, canned, cartoned or securely wrapped.
Person in charge.
The individual present in a food establishment or operating a mobile food unit who is the apparent supervisor of the food establishment or operation at the time of inspection. If no individual is the apparent supervisor, then any employee present is the person in charge.
Potentially hazardous food.
Any food that consists in whole or in part of milk or milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, edible crustaceans, or other ingredients, including synthetic ingredients, in a form capable of supporting rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms. The term does not include clean, whole, uncracked, odor-free shell eggs or foods which have a pH level of 4.5 or below or a water activity (Aw) value of 0.85 or less.
Produce.
Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Reconstituted food.
Food products produced by recombining dehydrated food products with water or other liquids.
Regulatory authority.
The state and/or local enforcement authority or authorities having jurisdiction over the food establishment, or those determined by the commissioner of health of the state as having jurisdiction. The term includes the health officer of the city or his authorized representative.
Retail food store.
Any establishment or section of any establishment where food and food products are offered for sale to the ultimate consumer and intended for off-premises consumption. The term shall not include establishments which handle only prepackaged, nonpotentially hazardous foods, food service establishments, the locations of food vending machines, or food products establishments.
Safe materials.
Articles manufactured from or composed of materials that may not reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in their becoming a component or otherwise affecting the characteristics of any food. If materials are food additives or color additives as defined in section 201(s) or (t) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as used, they are “safe” only if they are used in the conformity with regulations established pursuant to section 409 or section 706 of the act. Other materials are “safe” only if, as used, they are not food additives or color additives as defined in section 201(s) or (t) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Sanitation.
Effective bactericidal treatment by a process that provides enough accumulative heat or concentration of chemicals for enough time to reduce the bacterial count, including pathogens, to a safe level on utensils and equipment.
Sealed.
Free of cracks or other openings that permit the entry or passage of moisture.
Single-service articles.
Cups, containers, lids, closures, plates, knives, forks, spoons, stirrers, paddles, straws, napkins, wrapping materials, toothpicks and similar articles intended for one-time, one-person use and then discarded.
Tableware.
All multiuse eating and drinking utensils including flatware (knives, forks and spoons).
Temporary food establishment.
A food establishment that operates at a fixed location for a period of time of not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
Transportation.
Movement of food within the food establishment or delivery of food from that establishment to another place while under the control of the person in charge of the establishment.
Utensil.
Any implement used in the storage, preparation, transportation or service of food.
Vending machine.
Any self-service device which, upon insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card or key, dispenses unit servings of food, either in bulk or in packages, without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation. It shall also include self-service dispensers equipped for coin, paper currency, token, card or key operation and optional manual operation. Unless otherwise stated, vending machine includes controlled location vending machines.
Warewashing.
The cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces of all equipment and utensils.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-51; Ordinance 219 adopted 8/24/11)
It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for supply with or without charge, to possess with intent to supply, to offer or expose for supply, to sell, or to supply with or without charge, any food which is adulterated or misbranded. All food shall be prepared, packaged, transported and supplied in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code chapter 431).
(1996 Code, sec. 46-52)
(a) 
Food supplied under the provisions of this article may be examined or sampled by the health officer as often as necessary for enforcement of any applicable federal, state or local law. The health officer may, upon written notice to the owner or person in charge of any food establishment or operation, place a hold order on any food which he determines or has probable cause to believe is in violation of federal, state or local law. The health officer shall tag, label or otherwise identify any food subject to the hold order. No food subject to a hold order shall be used, served, sold or moved from the establishment. The health officer shall permit storage of the food under conditions specified in the hold order. The hold order shall specify with particularity the reasons therefor; and shall state that a request for hearing may be filed within ten days, and that if no hearing is requested, the food shall be destroyed. A hearing shall be held if so requested, and on the basis of evidence produced at that hearing, the food inspector may be directed by written order to denature or destroy such food or to bring it into compliance with applicable laws. Such order of the health officer to denature or destroy such food or bring into compliance with the provisions of this article shall be stayed if the order is appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction within three days.
(b) 
Wherever the health officer shall find in any food establishment or operation, any food which is unsound, or contains any filthy, decomposed, or putrid substance, or that may be poisonous or deleterious to health or otherwise unsafe, the same being hereby declared to be a nuisance, the health officer shall forthwith condemn, or in any manner render the same unsalable as human food.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-53)
(a) 
No person, while infected with a disease in a communicable form that can be transmitted by foods or who is a carrier of organisms that cause such a disease or while afflicted with a boil, infected wound, or an acute respiratory infection, shall work in a food establishment or as a mobile food vendor, or in connection with a food vending machine operation in any capacity in which there is a likelihood of such person contaminating food or food-contact surfaces with pathogenic organisms or transmitting disease to other persons.
(b) 
When the health officer has reasonable cause to suspect the possibility of disease transmission from any food establishment or operation employee, he may secure morbidity history of the suspected employee or make any other investigation as may be indicated and shall take appropriate action. The health officer may require any or all of the following measures:
(1) 
The immediate exclusion of the employee from all food establishments or operations.
(2) 
The immediate closing of the food establishment or operation concerned until, in the opinion of the health officer, no further danger of disease outbreak exists.
(3) 
Restriction of the employee’s services to some area of the establishment or operation where there would be no danger of transmitting disease.
(4) 
Adequate medical and laboratory examination of the employee, of other employees and of his or their bodily discharges.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-54)
(a) 
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each food establishment shall have at least one person on site in charge of the operation who has a valid food manager’s certificate from a state-approved course. Any food establishment having six employees or less shall have at least one person in charge of the operation who has a valid food manager’s certificate.
(b) 
Food manager certificates will not be required for managers of food establishments providing only beverages and prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous snack foods. Food manager certificates will not be required for managers in nonprofit organizations which only serve food to their own members. Food manager certificates will not be required for managers of food products establishments inspected at least once in each week by state or federal food sanitation inspectors. Retail food stores under single ownership which do not engage in preparation of food may assign one certified food manager to supervise up to four stores. Food manager certificates will not be required for persons operating mobile food units or supplying food vending machines since a certified manager would be in charge at the commissary supplying these units.
(c) 
Where required, food manager certificates shall be prominently posted in the establishment.
(d) 
Whenever a food manager certificate has expired or the holder of the certificate is no longer employed in the food establishment, 14 days shall be allowed for the food establishment to come into compliance with subsection (a) of this section.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-55; Ordinance 219 adopted 8/24/11)
At all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, served, or transported, food shall be protected from potential contamination, including dust, insects, rodents, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, coughs and sneezes, flooding, drainage, and overhead leakage or overhead drippage from condensation. The internal temperature of potentially hazardous food shall be 45 degrees or below Fahrenheit (seven degrees Celsius) or 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided by law.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-56)
(a) 
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day, or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of this article is committed, continued or permitted and upon the conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00 per violation per day.
(b) 
Prosecution or conviction under this provision shall never be a bar to any other remedy or relief for violation of this article.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-57)
(a) 
All food handlers shall have a valid food handler’s certificate from a state-approved course, except as provided for in subsection (c) below.
(b) 
Whenever a food handler’s certificate has expired or the holder of the certificate is no longer employed in the food establishment, the food establishment shall have 14 calendar days to come into compliance with subsection (a).
(c) 
Food handler certificates will not be required for those food handlers who are volunteers for temporary, seasonal, or periodic food sale ventures for nonprofit organizations, schools, or governmental agencies only if each volunteer’s supervisor within that nonprofit organization, school, or governmental agency possesses a valid food handler’s certificate. This section does not exempt any food handler from compliance with state law.
(Ordinance 219 adopted 8/24/11)