The City's health inspector inspects food establishments permitted within the city limits at least twice a calendar year for an annual food permit. In accordance with the Texas Food Establishment Guidelines, a demerit system is used when conducting a health inspection of a food establishment. The type of violation the health inspector finds determines whether 3, 4, or 5 demerits are assessed to the score of the inspection. Once the health inspector has completed his inspection of the premises, he totals the number of demerits assessed.
Example of a typical food establishment's health inspection score:
1 violation worth 5 demerits
1 violation worth 4 demerits
2 violations worth 6 demerits (3 demerits/per violation)
TOTAL SCORE = 15
Demerits are only recorded on "critical violations."
"Non-critical violations" such as cleanliness of the food establishment's public restroom facilities, dining area floors and heating/air conditioning are not recorded in the scores you see. However, non-critical violations are noted and must be corrected. The main focus of the health inspection is on the food preparation and storage area(s) of the food establishment.
There is not a failing grade. However, State law does state the following when total demerits exceed 30 on a food establishment's score, "the establishment shall initiate immediate corrective action on all identified violations and shall initiate corrective action on all other violations within 48 hours."
*Please remember the scores listed are just what the health inspector observed on the day of the inspection at each particular food establishment.
DEMERIT SCALE |
# of
Demerits |
Meaning |
0 |
No Critical Violations |
20 or under |
Good |
21 to 29 |
Fair |
30 to 100 |
Closure and/or Legal Action |
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