TEMPLE — The Texas Department of State Health Services is currently accepting applications for a new statewide license designated for mobile food vendors. This new system, effective July 1, establishes a single license valid throughout Texas and removes the previous requirement for vendors to obtain separate permits from local jurisdictions.
Beginning July 1, mobile food vendors must possess a license from the Texas Department of State Health Services to operate. The statewide licensing system was created under House Bill 2844, which passed the Texas Legislature in a previous session. This legislation assigned licensing and enforcement responsibilities to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Timothy Stevenson, deputy commissioner for consumer protection, stated that the agency's goal is to facilitate a smooth transition for vendors, customers, and local jurisdictions. Mobile food vendors include various operations such as food trucks, pushcarts, and roadside vendors. Local jurisdictions will conduct most inspections through agreements with the state health department.
Existing mobile food vendors can continue operating after July 1 if they submit a complete license application and pay the required fees. New mobile food vendors, however, cannot begin operations until they successfully pass a pre-licensing inspection. The Texas Department of State Health Services has indicated it will prioritize these pre-licensing inspections.
After passing a pre-licensing inspection, vendors receive a license valid for one year from the inspection date. Operators are advised to retain hard copies of their local license, application summary, and payment receipt on site until the inspection occurs. Mobile food vendors must continue to comply with all applicable state and local laws.
No independent assessment was available for this report.