Food Establishment

2805 N. Navarro
Victoria, Texas 77901
Tammy Fikac, Environmental Health Division Supervisor
(361)578-6281

The environmental Health Division permits and conducts routine inspections of retail food establishments such as restaurants, institutional facilities including schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, convenience stores, grocery stores, night clubs and mobile food units.

Food Establishment Permitting Process

1. Obtain a Food Establishment Permit Application.
2. Review the Minimum Requirements for food establishments.
3. Submit a copy of the plans to the Environmental Health Division for
   review. 
4. Only after the plans have been approved can construction begin.
   If a changes occur during the construction process the health department
   must be notified as soon as possible.
5. Submit the food establishment permit application to the Victoria County-
   City Health Department upon completion of the construction.
6. Schedule an opening inspection.
7. Provide a copy of the opening inspection to the proper city/county
   entity (i.e., local city hall)
8. Submit the food establishment permit fee.

Please refer to the Food Establishment Permit Application for permit fee and payment location. Once the permit application and fee have been recieved, the permit will then be mailed to the mailing address on the food establishment permit application or it can be picked up at the Victoria City-County Health Department.  

A mobile food unit is essentially a "kitchen on wheels" and shares the same minimum requirements as a restauraunt, but because a mobile food unit is "mobile", some of the requirements become a little more involved. View the Mobile Food Unit Requirements for a complete list of all requirements. 

Food Establishment Inspections

The Victoria City-County Environmental Health Division conducts food establishment inspections in Victoria, Calhoun, Dewitt and Jackson counties to ensure the food that is prepared for public consumption is prepared and provided in a safe and sanitary manner. The Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) were developed to safeguard public health and to provide consumers food that is safe and unadulterated.  To view a copy of the TFER, which includes Section 25 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapters 229.171-229.171 and 229.173-229.175, click here.

The  Food Establishment Inspection Report is used to conduct routine inspections, as well as, opening inspections, violation follow-ups, and complaint follow-ups.  This inspection form was developed by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) with input from industry and regulators and takes into account the latest in food safety science and factors that may contribute to foodborne illness.  There are several factors which can contribute to the outbreak of a foodborne illness including improper cooling and thawing, inadequate cooking, inadequate reheating or hot holding, improper hand washing, infected personnel, contaminated raw food or ingredient, unsafe food sources, and cross contamination.

The TFER requires food establishments to be inspected once every six months.  The frequency of inspection is based upon a risk assessment and takes into consideration the establishment’s history of compliance with the TFER, repeat violations, type of food, the number of people served, and whether the population served is a highly susceptible population (i.e., people that are more likely to experience a foodborne illness due to age or medical conditions).

The food establishment inspection report consists of 27 critical violations.  Demerits ranging from three (3) points to five (5) points are issued when a food establishment is found in non-compliance.  Inspections with thirty (30) or more demerits require a violation follow-up inspection.  Fourteen (14) of the 27 critical violations require immediate corrective action for food temperature and time requirements, as well as, food handling and source requirements.    

Food establishment inspection reports are subject to the Open Records Act and may be viewed following submission of a completed Request for Information form.

Restaurant Reports may be viewed in area newspapers and on local television station broadcasts.

Disclaimer:  Food establishment inspection reports are subject to the Open  Records Act.  The Victoria Advocate publishes inspection results from the previous week each Wednesday. All demerits are reported, but only those in the categories of Food Temperature/Time Requirements and Personnel/Handling/Source Requirements are detailed.  The Victoria City-County Health Department Environmental Health Division is not responsible for discrepancies between restaurant reports posted on the Victoria Advocate web page and food establishment reports on file in our office.  Inspections are conducted daily.  Reviewing the entire inspection history of an establishment, rather than an individual inspection score, will provide a more accurate picture of an establishment’s commitment to food safety and sanitation. If you have questions regarding food establishment inspections, you may contact our office at (361)578-6281.

To make a complaint about a food establishment you may complete the  Complaint Form and submit it electronically, or you may call us at (361)578-6281.  Please provide as much information as possible to expedite the complaint.

If you are operating or considering opening up a food establishment within the City of Victoria, you may access the  City of Victoria Code (See Chapter 10, Article III)for additional information.

To report injuries or complaints associated with adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise unsafe foods, milk products, drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, cosmetics, indoor tanning practices, tattooing or body piercing procedures, complete the  Manufactured Foods Complaint form.

For more information about food safety visit the Gateway to Government Food Safety Information website.