TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS

This proposed bill did not become law. HB 598 was referred to Business & Industry on 3/1/21.

This was the first bill of its kind in Texas to address third-party food delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. The bill would have imposed the following restrictions on fees, if passed:

A delivery fee of no more than 15% of the price of an order; OR
A fee other than a delivery fee in an amount that is more than 5% of the price of an order

TexasPHS still stands by our initial Hot Take: This bill was way too weak on so many levels. Lawmakers should pass food safety and sanitation mandates for third-party delivery services, such as AB-3336.

New NEHA REHS Exam

May 18, 2021July 12, 2021Texas Public Health Solutions

Texas updated its Registered Sanitarian (RS) exam on May 1, 2019.

Now NEHA, the National Environmental Health Association, is updating its own Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) examination starting on September 1, 2021.

What is the REHS Credential?

The REHS credential is the gold standard for environmental health professionals. Environmental health specialists, sanitarians, and other public health professionals with this credential have demonstrated competency in a diverse range of environmental health issues. REHS credential holders are key stakeholders in ensuring communities are in compliance with local, state, and federal environmental health regulations.

Does Your Restaurant Need a HACCP Plan?

May 5, 2021July 12, 2021Texas Public Health Solutions

More and more local health departments in North Texas are requiring restaurants to obtain variance approval if the restaurant conducts a Special Process.

Are you a restaurant owner and have no idea where to start? No worries … TexasPHS can help!

The Special Processes Team at Texas Public Health Solutions, LLC is made up of Senior-level Environmental Health Specialists who have received advanced FDA training and serve as subject matter experts in reviewing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, operational plans, and food labels.

The Importance of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

April 13, 2021July 12, 2021Texas Public Health Solutions

Last year, TexasPHS filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). We posted the results of that FOIA request on a 2020 blog post relating to the Registered Sanitarian examination.

A staff member later discovered that the data provided by TDLR was completely inaccurate and misleading. When TexasPHS contacted TDLR on the mistake, this was their response:

2021 Texas Food Legislation

February 14, 2021Texas Public Health Solutions

The current legislative session is well underway, and our state lawmakers are attempting to pass meaningful legislation – both big and small.

TexasPHS has read all of the proposed bills affecting food manufacturers, restaurants, food delivery companies, and cottage food producers, and we invite you to continue reading to discover the most important regulations surrounding FOOD IN TEXAS in 2021.