The mission of the Food and Drinking Water Safety program is to ensure that the food and drinking water provided on campus are safe for consumption. EHS staff is responsible for conducting food safety inspections of the permitted food vendors and kitchen facilities on campus, approving distribution of food on campus by staff, students, or vendors, and ensuring quality drinking water.
Temporary Food Events
Note: If your event is intended only for the members of your group/organization then a Food Distribution Form is not required.
Submit the Temporary Food Event Application to EHS 7 days prior to the event. A form is required anytime an event is planned where Time/Temperature Controlled Foods (TCS) are going to be distributed to the public. Authorization is required whether you prepare the food yourself or arrange for a caterer. TCS foods if handled or prepared improperly can cause a foodborne illness.
Some examples of TCS foods are:
- cooked meats
- hamburgers/hotdogs
- breakfast tacos
- fajitas
- sausage wraps
- sliced melon, sliced tomato, leafy greens
A request is not needed in the following instances:
- Prepackaged commercially processed non-temperature controlled foods are the only food served at the event. This includes candy bars, bagged chips, bottled water, soda, etc.
- Bake sales- While bake sales are not regulated by the health authority, there is certain signage required to comply with the Cottage Food Rules. For these types of events, please have the following statement printed on site and visible to customers: “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department”. Except for baked goods and commercially prepackaged non-temperature controlled items (chips, sodas, water, candy), no other food can be served at this event.
Note: If EHS approval is needed to reserve a space on campus, such as in WCP, a request can still be filled out for events only serving the above items.
Important: Personnel handling TCS foods must follow these sanitation requirements (PDF).
Food Service Establishment Permitting (for permanent food services)
All food establishments that prepare and serve food at the University must be permitted through EHS and pay a permit fee. EHS inspects all Food Service Establishments at the University for compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules which have directly adopted the 2017 FDA Food Code..
The permitting procedures are as follows:
- For the authorization and permitting to operate a Food Service Establishment on campus, call EHS at (512) 471-3511 and ask for Food Safety section.
- Fill out the pre-treatment device form (PDF) before any construction begins.
- EHS will inspect your Food Service Establishment before it begins operation.
- When all regulations and requirements are met, a permit will be issued.
- Every Food Service Establishment permit expires at the end of the fiscal year.
- A new permit will be created for all Food Service Establishments at the beginning of each fiscal year. Permits are renewed automatically unless the establishment indicates otherwise and they will be emailed to operators by mid-August of each year.
- The permit must be posted in a prominent location within the establishment.
- Food-Water-Sanitation Fee Memo / Schedule
- University of Texas New Food Establishment Guidelines (PDF)
- Guidelines on Outdoor Smokers and Grills (PDF)
Mobile Vending Requirements
All mobile vendors who sell food on campus must have a permit issued by UT Austin EHS to operate.
- View the University Operating Procedures for Food Truck Vending
- View the Mobile Vending Requirements
- Mobile Food Inspection Report (PDF)
Food Service Establishment Inspections
Food Handler Online Training
Any food establishment worker at the University can take this training developed by the Division of Housing and Food Safety (DHFS). If you are not a DHFS employee, send the Confirmation Form to EHS after completing the training modules and the test.
- DHFS Food Safety Training - log in to UTLearn and search for DHFS to find the food safety modules
Tailgating Food Safety Tips
See Have a Winning Tailgate! from The Partnership for Food Safety Education.
Hepatitis Information
- Pro-Med — Latest information from a program of the International Society of Infectious Diseases which monitors emerging diseases.
- CDC Hepatitis A Info - Information on Hepatitis A from the CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
- Hepatitis A Poster (PDF)
Useful Links
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook
- CDC Food Safety Office
- CDC Health Topic: Foodborne Illnesses
- CDC Travelers Health: Safe Food and Water
- CDC Healthy Eating Tips
- Practical Info for Healthy Diets
- CDC Foodbourne Outbreaks
- Easily Searchable PDF Version of 2015 Texas Food Establishment Rules (PDF)
- University Health Services — Health Promotion and Educational Services
Drinking Water Safety
The mission of the Food and Drinking Water Safety program is to ensure that the food and drinking water provided on campus are safe for consumption. EHS staff is responsible for conducting food safety inspections of the permitted food vendors and kitchen facilities on campus, approving distribution of food on campus by staff, students, or vendors, and ensuring quality drinking water.
In what situations might EHS take a water sample for bacteriological testing?
- Water main repairs due to a broken water main
- New installation or repair of outdoor water lines
- Suspected cross-connections
- Indoor water quality complaints
- Other situations as appropriate
What are the procedures for?
Water Main Repairs (Outdoors):
If a water main breaks on campus, Facilities/Utilities will notify EHS immediately and let EHS know when a sample may be taken after the pipe/parts have been sprayed/swabbed with disinfectant (1% hypochlorite) and flushed per AWWA C651-14.
Facilities/Utilities will make arrangements to flush line. Flushing should be conducted at the appropriate fire hydrant(s) between the main break and the buildings served. Flushing may also be necessary in the interior of the building.
EHS will check total chlorine levels (minimum 0.5 ppm, maximum 4.0 ppm) and take a sample to an accredited laboratory (TDSHS or LCRA) for bacteriological testing.
New Installation:
New lines should be disinfected and flushed per AWWA C651-14. Utilities will notify EHS to determine if water samples should be taken. Water service cannot be turned on without EHS approval. Please reference UT Design and Construction Standard 33.14.00 UEM “Utility Distribution” for more information.
Suspected Cross Connections:
Facilities/Utilities will notify EHS and samples will be taken to an accredited laboratory.
Water Line Repairs (Indoors):
If a water line breaks indoors, bacteriological water samples will not normally be taken unless it is suspected that the line repair may have contaminated the building water supply. For example, a line break in a bathroom. Facilities will be responsible for notifying EHS.
Low Water Pressure:
If low water pressure (< 20 psi) exists in a building, Facilities will notify EHS. EHS will make a determination if water testing is warranted.
Building Water Turned Off:
If the water is turned off to a building for more than 24 hours, Facilities will notify EHS. EHS will make a determination if water testing is warranted.
Indoor Water Quality Complaints:
If a water quality complaint comes into EHS, EHS will investigate to determine if bacteriological testing is warranted. If sampling is warranted, EHS will immediately take samples to an accredited laboratory for testing (TDSHS or LCRA).
What about drinking water notices?
As a best practice, drinking water from buildings that are being tested should not be consumed until satisfactory testing results have returned from the laboratory. Drinking Water notices will be mandatory in health sensitive buildings such as the Day Care Centers, UT Elementary, and University Health Services. As appropriate, EHS will post signs at drinking water fountains and break rooms indicating that water should not be consumed. In buildings with multiple water supply lines, EHS will work with Facilities to determine what building sections will be covered by the outage. If notices are posted, Facilities will notify building managers and occupants.
What if testing shows a problem?
If water test results come back positive, EHS will immediately notify Facilities or Utilities. EHS will post signs at drinking water fountains and break rooms indicating that water should not be consumed. New samples will be collected and brought to an accredited laboratory.
Who should I contact if I am concerned about food safety or drinking water?
Contact Justin Pepper at (512) 471-3511 or by email at justin.pepper@austin.utexas.edu.