Environmental and Health Services
Food Protection and Education Division

7901 Goforth Road (Directions)
Dallas, Texas 75238
(214) 670-8083
Fax (214) 670-8330
Office Hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm.  (Closed For Lunch Between 12:30 and 1:00 pm)

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Food Protection and Education Division aims to promote healthy people and healthy communities through education and regulation of food service establishments.

In the City of Dallas, there are nearly 6,000 "permitted" permanent food establishments, including restaurants, convenience stores, food and espresso carts, coffee shops, delis, grocery stores and schools; there are nearly 800 Mobile Food Units/ Kiosk; there were nearly 3000 Temporary Food Establishment inspections conducted (OCCURRING MOSTLY ON WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS including the  State Fair of Texas, New Years Day, St. Patricks Day, Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth, Taste of Dallas, and many other large and small events). All are inspected by licensed sanitarian from the division.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008 the Dallas City Council Passed a New Smoking Ordinance. The new standards to the smoking ordinance take effect April 10, 2009. City to host public forums to discuss new smoking ordinance; Persons found to be in violation will face fines of $200 per offense

Services Provided

Retail Food Establishment Permitting and Inspections (Fixed Food Establishments)

• Mobile Food Vehicle Permitting/ Inspections
• Temporary Food Services Establishment Permitting/ Inspections
• Foodborne illness investigation/ Food Sample Collections and Analysis
• Central Business District Vending Permitting/ Inspections
• Enforce City Ordinances/ State Laws that relate to the sale and service of food and beverages
• Emergency Response – Manmade/ Natural Disasters
• Consumer Complaints/ Foodborne Investigations
• Food Safety Training and Education
• Restaurants/ Temporary Food  Handlers
• Homeless Feeding Training / Audits 
• Food Service Manager Certification Program
• Smoking Ordinance Enforcement

Type of Inspections Routine, Follow-up, Complaint, Temporary, and Mobile (unannounced)

• Routine Inspections – are conducted at least once every six months 
• Follow-up Inspections –  are conducted as a result of poor sanitation issues, low scores
• Complaints Inspections – General Sanitation/Hygienic Practices /Illness Investigation, Smoking and Other 
• Temporary – the City of Dallas Office of Special Events provides a listing of public event being held involving food and we provide guidance and inspect
• Mobile – the various mobile food units are required to provide an itinerary are inspected annually with random inspections conducted during the year (Mobile Sweeps).

All documents below are in Adobe PDF format unless noted othewrwise.)
Restaurant Food Handler Training Class Schedule 2009
RestaurantFood Handler Certification Application
Restaurant Food Handler Training Classes

Provisions for Feeding the Homeless Brochure
2009 Homeless Food Safety Training Classes
Provisions for Feeding the Homeless Brochure
Meal Provider Program Sites

Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) Rule Changes that Impact Operations of Food Establishments In the City of Dallas, effective
January 24, 2007

Food Establishment Permit
Food establishment permits are required for restaurants, bars, grocery stores, mobile food units, temporary food events and schools.
To obtain a permit to operate a food establishment, the following are needed: (1) a valid photo identification, (2) sales tax permit, and (3) a $300 application fee plus an additional $200 fee if plans are submitted for review. For additional information, contact Food Protection and Education office between 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at (214) 670-8083 or visit the office at: 7901 Goforth Rd, Dallas, Texas 75238.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 12:30 pm and 1 to 4:30 pm.

Complaints Concerning Restaurants
To report a possible food-borne illness or unsanitary condition at a restaurant or other food-related establishment, contact the Department of Environmental and Health Services, Food Protection and Education, between 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at (214) 670-8083.

Registered Food Service Manager
Each food establishment (fixed) is required to have an on-site Registered Food Service Manager. The Registered Food Service Manager class is offered at various locations throughout the state. A list of those locations may be obtained either by calling Food Protection and Education at (214) 670-8083, or visiting the office at 7901 Goforth Rd, between 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
A list of the locations may be obtained here: TDH Course Registry of the Food Protection Management Training Programs.

Home Preparation
Home preparation of food for public consumption is prohibited. All food that is to be consumed by the public, whether free or for sale, must be prepared at a commercial establishment that is inspected by a federal, state or local health authority.

Roadside/Parking Lot Sales
Vending on public property is prohibited except in the downtown Central Business District. Anyone selling goods (flowers, purses, shoes, etc.) on parking lots or along roadsides is doing so illegally. This type of activity is regulated by the Department of Code Compliance. For additional information on vending, visit our web page orcontact the Department of Environmental and Health Services, Food Protection and Education office, between 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. at (214) 670-8083.