Texas Restaurants and Food Handling Procedures

If the business offers liquor, it must also follow Texas liquor license laws. Enforcement guidelines are put into place to protect workers as well as public visitors.

Food Handling Procedures

Food handling procedures must follow state guidelines in a variety of ways. Food items should be prepared in a safe manner to prevent foodborne sickness. Hot items should be prepared properly as well as cold items. Work areas are kept clean and sanitized during the work day. Chemicals should be kept in secure locations away from food items.

If the business offers a variety of food services, each type of food should be prepared accordingly. Meat handling procedures should be followed when preparing and cooking meat. This is also true for fish, poultry, egg products, milk products, and so on. Each worker who handles food should be well aware of safe food guidelines.

Equipment should be kept in working condition with routine inspections. Workers and management are required to follow legal guidelines while operating a restaurant within the state of Texas.

Serving Liquor to Customers

Individuals who work in bars are required to carry a current Texas liquor license to legally serve age appropriate customers. Residents who consume liquor are required to be 21 years of age within the state. Workers who serve alcohol must be at least 18 years of age.

Texas-based bars and restaurants can serve liquor from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, liquor can only be served with food items from 10 a.m. to noon. This is outlined in Texas liquor license legalities. Texas liquor laws are strongly enforced within the state.

Food items served to bar customers should follow the same food preparation guidelines as those prepared in restaurants. Hot items should remain hot until served to the customer. Cold items should remain cold until served. Proper hand washing procedures should also be observed.

Employees who are not feeling well should not be working. If the employee has a cold or illness, the other workers and public members might be at risk. If the worker has an increased body temperature, they should not be working.

Protecting the Public

Both liquor laws and food handling procedures are put into place to protect the public. Texas restaurants bring big business to the communities. Community members trust that businesses are following safe handling procedures on their behalf.