Food Safety
All food served on campus must meet food safety rules and regulations established and enforced by the State of Texas. The safety of our students and employees is always top priority. The following laws, rules and regulations must be followed whenever food is prepared, served, and/or sold, by sources other than ECI, our licensed food service vendor.
We realize that extracurricular activities and fundraising events often use food from outside sources. In those circumstances, it is especially important to adhere to these laws, rules and regulations to ensure everyone’s health and safety. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Department of Public Safety, Risk and Emergency Management.
Bake Sales
Campus bake sales must follow the Texas Cottage Food Law. Home - Texas Cottage Food Law
Texas Cottage Food Production | Texas DSHS
Requirements
- Obtain a Food Handler’s Permit. Home-test - TABC Serve it Safe
- Food must be individually packaged and labeled with the following.
- Name and address of the person who cooked the food.
- Common or usual name of the product.
- This statement: “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”
- A unique number for each batch of pickled fruit or vegetables, fermented vegetable products, or plant-based acidified canned goods.
- If a food is made with one of the allergens listed below, then that ingredient must be listed on the label
Permissible Items
- Breads, rolls, biscuits
- Sweet breads, muffins
- Cakes
- Pastries, fruit pies
- Canned jams and jellies
- Dry herbs and dry herb mixtures
- Candy
- Unroasted nut butters, fruit butters
- Nuts (coated and uncoated)
- Plant-based acidified canned goods, including salsa, BBQ sauce, ketchups
- Popcorn and popcorn snacks
- Dehydrated or pickled fruits and vegetables, including beans.
- Frozen, raw, and uncut fruits or vegetables
- Fermented vegetable products
- Cereal, including granola
- Dry Mix
- Vinegar
- Mustard
- Dry pasta
- Roasted coffee or dry tea
Popcorn Machines
- Popcorn machines may only be used in the two-story atrium sections of the buildings or outside.
- Popcorn machines must be operated by someone with a food handler’s permit. The operator must stay with the machine at all times during operation.
- The operator must have training on how to use a popcorn machine.
- All popcorn and oil must be purchased from ECI or university food service provider.
BBQ
- Grills may only be operated with gas. Charcoal with open flame is prohibited.
- No personal grills are allowed on campus.
- University owned and maintained grills are allowed on campus.
- Grills must be operated by someone with a Food Handler’s permit. The operator must stay with the grill at all times during operation.
- Grills must be operated outside on concrete, away from combustible materials.
- A fire extinguisher must be near the grill during operation.
- Food must be purchased by ECI or university food service provider.