Food safety is serious business in Texas. We strive to prevent foodborne illness in the Lone Star State through personal and professional excellence. This endeavor requires the help of all public health regions, state and federal agencies, local and city health departments, private industry, and the public.

Through teamwork and diligent effort, we can accomplish our mission:  

"To protect public health through the efficient operation of a comprehensive retail food protection program focusing on education, training, and oversight, which will ultimately reduce the potential for foodborne illness in Texas." 

Please see the following link for information about a USDA RECALL of Ready-to-Eat meat and poultry products due to possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

BrucePac Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service

The 89^th Legislature passed three bills that impact food establishments, requiring implementation by DSHS. Updates regarding implementation will be provided by DSHS on this page. Below is an overview of SB 541.  Overviews of SB 1008 and HB 2844 will be posted soon.

SB 541—Cottage Food Production Operations

SB 541 expands the types of allowable foods; sets conditions for the wholesale of cottage foods; changes labeling requirements; and clarifies the regulation of cottage foods.

NEW: Registration required for the following cottage food operations:

• Instead of providing a physical home address on the label, operators may register at the link below and place their registration number on the label.
• Cottage food production operations (CFPO) that sell time and temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must register at the link below.
• Cottage food vendors who purchase products from CFPOs and sell directly to consumers must register at the link below.

• To register, please click on the following link:

  Texas DSHS Cottage Food Registry

  Cottage Food Registration Guidance Document (PDF)

NOTE:  Registration begins on Sept. 1, 2025.  Please be advised that DSHS offices will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday on Sept. 1 but will re-open for business on Sept. 2, 2025.  Please direct your questions beginning on Sept. 2 to foodestablishments@dshs.texas.gov or 512-834-6753.

Local public health entities (including municipalities, counties, and public health districts) and DSHS impact:

• The CFPO definition has been updated to include nonprofit organizations and increases the annual gross income threshold to $150,000.
• A CFPO may operate from the individual’s home or the home of an individual who is a director or officer of the nonprofit organization.
• Allowable foods now include any foods, except for the following:
  • meat, meat products, poultry, or poultry products;
  • seafood, including seafood products, fish, fish products, shellfish, and shellfish products;
  • ice or ice products, including shaved ice, ice cream, frozen custard, popsicles, and gelato;
  • low-acid canned goods;
  • products containing cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol; or
  • raw milk and raw milk products.
• CFPOs that sell TCS foods must register with DSHS.
• CFPOs that sell TCS foods must follow specific labeling requirements, including safe handling instructions and temperature requirements.
• CFPOs may provide samples at any location.
• CFPOs may donate cottage foods unless the foods are TCS.  TCS foods are not eligible for donation. Local public health entities may NOT regulate the production of food at a cottage food production operation; NOR require a cottage operation to:
  • obtain any type of license or permit; OR
  • pay any fee to produce or sell directly to a consumer or cottage food vendor; or to provide samples directly to a consumer.
• A local government authority may not employ or continue to employ someone who knowingly requires or attempts to require a CFPO to apply for a permit.

Cottage Food Vendors:

• A “cottage food vendor” is defined as a person located in Texas who has a contractual relationship with a CFPO and sells directly to consumers in Texas on behalf of the CFPO.
• Cottage food vendors that purchase food from CFPOs at wholesale must register with DSHS.
• A CFPO may wholesale cottage foods to a cottage food vendor, unless the foods are TCS.  TCS foods are not eligible for wholesale.
• A cottage food vendor can sell directly to consumers at a farmers' market, a farm stand, a food service establishment, or any retail store.
• A cottage food vendor must display a sign in a prominent place near the location where the food is offered for sale, with the following disclosure:
  • "THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION."

Food produced by a CFPO and sold by a cottage food vendor must include the date the food was made on the label.

DSHS implementation activities:

• Registration will allow CFPOs to label cottage foods with a unique identification number provided by DSHS instead of their home address.
• DSHS will adopt rules to include implementation of the new requirements.
• DSHS will maintain the registration of requesting CFPOs; CFPOs that sell TCS Foods, and all cottage food vendors.

Public health entities must comply with the new legislation beginning September 1, 2025.

For details about the new state law, please visit the link below:

Health and Safety Code 437