Environmental Health and Safety

Food Safety

Swine Influenza (H1N1) Food Safety Alert

The mission of the Food Safety program is to ensure that the food and drinking water provided on campus are safe for consumption. EHS staff is responsible for conducting food safety inspections of the permitted food vendors and kitchen facilities on campus, approving distribution of food on campus by staff, students, or vendors, and ensuring quality drinking water.

For more information or to report a safety concern regarding drinking water or foodstuffs, please call 512-471-3511.

Food Distribution Form (for temporary food services)

Only submit a form to EHS for Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHF). PHF is food that if handled or prepared improperly can cause a foodborne illness. Examples of PHF:

  • beef fajitas
  • chicken salad
  • grilled hamburgers
  • submarine sandwiches
  • chef salads
  • sausage wraps

Do not submit a form for food that is not potentially hazardous, such as:

  • candy
  • soda
  • chips
  • bake sale items (e.g., cake, cookies, brownies)

Submit the Food Distribution Form to EHS at least 7 days prior to the event. A form is required anytime an event is planned where PHF is going to be distributed to others on campus such as a student organization wanting to grill and distribute burgers to passersby at the West Mall. Authorization is required whether you prepare the food yourself or arrange for a caterer.

Food Service Establishment Permitting (for permanent food services)

Permitted Food Service Establishments — see our norovirus food safety alert and norovirus fact sheet.

Download our Keep Safe flyer (54KB PDF).

All establishments that prepare and serve food at the University must be permitted through EHS. EHS routinely inspects all Food Service Establishments at the University for compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules 25 TAC 229.161 — 229.171, 229.173 — 229.175 (Rules). The permitting procedures are as follows:

  • For authorization to operate a Food Service Establishment on campus, first call the Texas Union at 512-475-6600 or your other University contact.
  • After authorization from the Texas Union, call EHS at 512-471-3511 and ask for the Food Safety Section.
  • The Food Safety Inspector will make an appointment to visit and inspect your Food Service Establishment and to go over the Rules.
  • When the requirements of the Rules are met, a permit will be issued.
  • Every Food Service Establishment permit expires at the end of the calendar year.
  • A new permit will be created for all established Food Service Establishments at the beginning of each calendar year.
  • The permit must be posted in a prominent location within the kitchen area.

Hepatitis Information

  • Pro-Med — Latest information from a program of the International Society of Infectious Diseases which monitors emerging diseases.
  • CDC — Information on Hepatitis A from the CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases

Tailgating Food Safety Tips

Follow these tips from the American Dietetic Association for a good defensive line against food poisoning.

Useful Links