nolancountyhealth.com - Environmental Health Section

The Environmental Health Section is responsible for improving and protecting the public health, welfare, and environment through inspection programs, educational outreach projects, and as a last resort, enforcement powers conveyed through the State of Texas Health and Safety Code.

The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department Environmental Health Section conducts routine inspections of public facilities such as restaurants, grocery stores, schools, day cares, etc. The Sweetwater-Nolan County Environmental Health Section will also respond to complaints made by private citizens regarding unsanitary conditions within the county that do not meet current code standards.

Other services available include: sampling of private drinking water at risk for contamination, investigation of food-borne illnesses, control and surveillance of vector-borne diseases, also inspection of private water supplies.

Information for new food establishments and temporary food vendors

There are many requirements to opening a new restaurant. If you are considering opening a food establishment, the best approach is to come by the Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department (SNCHD) and ask for a copy of “Texas Food Establishment Rules”. This book contains the guidelines, policy, standards and quality assurance for food establishments. The cost is $10.00. It can be downloaded from the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/foodestablishments/default.shtm.

There are certain criteria that must be met in order to open for business, you must first contact SNCHD and request an application. Following the application process and inspection, you will require paying a fee of $15.00. You cannot open a food establishment without a county health permit.

A temporary food vendor must obtain an application and be inspected before selling consumable goods to the public. It is illegal to setup and sell food without a permit. A temporary vendor is a food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.

A roadside food vendor is a person who operates a mobile retail food store from a temporary location adjacent to a public road or highway. Food shall not be prepared or processed by a roadside food vendor. A roadside food vendor is classified as a mobile food establishment.

A mobile food vendor is a vehicle mounted food establishment that is readily moveable. Serve only food that is prepared, packaged in individual servings, transported and stored under conditions meeting the requirements of these sections. NO POTENTIALLY HAZARDS FOODS.

If you have any questions, please contact Don Ware or Linda Kite at 235-5463 or come by the health department.

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