Environmental Public Health Division

Roadside Food Vendor Requirements
(No Food Preparation on Unit)

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Definition

A roadside food vendor means a food service establishment that is housed in a truck or a trailer, commonly called a cold truck or a restricted mobile food unit. Foodservice is limited to prepackaged foods from approved sources that require no further preparation except warming for immediate service. Non-potentially hazardous beverages such as coffee or tea may be dispensed from protected equipment such a coffee urn or tea dispenser.

Permit And Medallion

All mobile food-vending units must have a permit and medallion issued by Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services. Once a permit application is issued, the permit and medallion may be purchased by cash, check, or money order. Paying by cash will allow you to obtain the medallion and health permit immediately. If you pay by check or money order, a holding period will be imposed to allow your payment to clear the bank before a health inspector can meet you at your roadside unit location, give you your health permit, and affix the medallion to the unit. Permits and medallions are valid for one year from date of issuance.

Inspections

Roadside food units are inspected several times a year. Please keep HCPHES informed of the location of your unit. HCPHES must know your location to renew your health permit and medallion.

Renewal of Medallion And Health Permit

Mobile units should be brought to the parking lot of the Harris County Veterinary Public Health Facility on Wednesday mornings, 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. , for an inspection. If the inspector determines that your mobile food unit meets requirements, an application for a health permit and medallion will be issued. If the inspector issues the application, you may purchase the permit and medallion at 2223 West Loop South, Ste 529 Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 3:30pm . To receive permit and medallion immediately bring cash, money order, or cashier check. Any permits and medallion purchase with a personal or company check will be mailed in 4-5 weeks. Or, permits and medallions may be purchased by mail. Mail payments to Harris County PHES, 2223 West Loop South, Houston , Texas 77027 . Allow 4-5 weeks to receive mail payments.

Requirements

The following requirements for the roadside food unit permit were adopted from the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and from the Harris County Commissioners' Court order, "Rules for the Regulation of Food Establishments." The requirements must be met before an application is issued for a permit and medallion.

Food Source And Food Protection

1. Food must be obtained from an approved commissary or a food establishment with a valid health permit. No food may be prepared on the roadside unit. Food may not be prepared at home. Foods offered for sale must comply with labeling laws where applicable. Food shall be in sound condition, free of spoilage, filth, or any other contamination and shall be safe for human consumption.
2. Only ice that has been made from potable (drinking) water shall be used or offered for sale.
3. Containers of food shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor in a manner that protects food from splash and contamination and permits easy cleaning of the floor.
4. No food, including packaged foods, shall be stored in contact with water or undrained ice. Wrapped sandwiches shall not be stored in direct contact with ice.
5. Conveniently located refrigeration facilities or effectively insulated facilities shall be provided to assure that potentially hazardous foods is maintained at 41ºF or below. Each refrigerator shall have an accurate thermometer.
6. Frozen foods shall be stored at a temperature of 0ºF or below.
7. Ice intended for human consumption shall not be used to cool foods, food containers, or food utensils. Ice used for cooling stored foods and food containers shall not be used for human consumption.
8. Conveniently located hot storage facilities shall be provided to assure that potentially hazardous foods that are kept hot are maintained at 135º F or greater. Each hot storage unit must have an accurate thermometer available.
9. A product (stem type) thermometer is needed to check internal temperatures of potentially hazardous foods.

Utensils

1. Only single service (plastic or paper utensils, plates, tableware) shall be used.

Commissary

1. All food must be obtained from an approved commissary or from a food establishment with a valid health permit.

Vehicle Requirements

• All mobile units shall be readily identifiable by business name, printed in bold black letters not less than 3 inches in height, not less than one and one half inches in width, permanently affixed, and prominently displayed upon at least 2 sides of the unit.
• All mobile food units shall maintain a current Texas motor vehicle inspection sticker and a current Texas motor vehicle license plate registration sticker.

03/07