All of Houston's nearly 12,000 retail food establishments are required by law to be inspected at least once a year to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations relating to food storage, facility sanitation and safety. Food sanitation levels provide a general indication of compliance; inspection reports better describe sanitation conditions and associated health risks and are made available to anyone requesting a copy.

Compliance standards are related primarily to:

• food protection
• temperature of food
• food supplies
• employee hygiene and food handling practices
• water supply and sewage disposal
• toilet and hand washing facilities
• garbage and refuse disposal
• pest (insects/rodents) control
• cleaning and sanitizing of food equipment and utensils
• maintenance of floors, walls and ceilings
• sufficient lighting and ventilation
• proper storage and display of toxic materials
• premises

To see how retail food establishment sanitation levels are assigned, Click Here.

The Houston Health and Human Services Department (HDHHS) inspection reporting system provides consumers food safety and sanitation information for all licensed food establishments in the city.

Many factors enter into one's choice of where to shop and where to eat: atmosphere, location, price, type of food and service.

One factor that is difficult for the public to assess is the attention paid to food safety issues in the food establishment.

This website can be used as a gauge to the sanitary conditions of the food establishment during the most recent inspection. Inspection reports are also available for your review at the HDHHS office.

Please Click Here to view the guide for the inspection results.

If you would like to receive a copy of specific inspection report, you can visit the HDHHS office at 8000 North Stadium Drive, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77054. Please be prepared to fill out a simple request form, present a current identification card and pay a fee of 12.5 cents per page if photo copying is required. Due to processing and filing procedures, some requests may take up to 10 working days to process. For general information, please call 713.794.9200

We hope that you will find this information helpful and easy to use.