Inspections - University of Houston
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Routine Inspections

  • All food establishments are subject to being inspected at random and a minimum of two times per year.
  • The location supervisor will be notified of the inspection upon arrival.
  • Retail food establishments scoring less than a 90 and dining halls or catering operations scoring less than an 85 on a routine inspection will receive a compliance inspection, also at random, within 14 days of the routine inspection.
    • If a retail food establishment scores less than a 90 and dining halls or catering operations scoring less than an 85 on the compliance inspection, then the establishment will undergo a follow-up inspection within 7 days of the compliance inspection.
    • If a retail food establishment scores less than a 90 and dining halls or catering operations scores less than an 85 on the follow-up inspection, then all operations will be ceased until all violations are corrected.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

  • An establishment that acquires one or more priority or critical (3-point) violation(s) must provide a written corrective action for each violation that was not corrected on-site.
    • No further inspection is required in the event that the establishment did pass the routine inspection.
  • An establishment that does not pass the routine inspection (below 90 for retail food establishments including food trucks; below 85 for dining halls or catering operations) must provide a written corrective action for each violation that was not corrected on-site.
    • Includes core (1-point) and priority foundation (2-point) violations
  • Written corrective action must be submitted within seven calendar days to foodsafety@uh.edu. The corrective action form may be found on the links below.

Pre-Opening Inspections

  • Facility and operating plans are required for review and approval before the construction of a food establishment, the conversion of an existing structure for use as a food establishment, and the remodeling of a food establishment or a change of the type of food establishment. Ensure that the Food Safety Team is involved in the early stages of planning to assist with food establishment requirements.
    • These establishments must undergo and pass a pre-opening inspection from the Food Safety Team prior to operating.  
    • To receive approval, any violations found during the plan review or inspection must be corrected within the given time.
    • A HACCP plan must be submitted if a variance is required and if the food safety team determines that a food preparation or processing method requires a HACCP plan.
  • New concepts/remodels may not operate without a formal approval and a valid permit issued by a UH Food Safety Specialist.