# Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.013: CLEANING DISHES, RECEPTACLES, AND UTENSILS

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.013

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.013
- **Heading:** CLEANING DISHES, RECEPTACLES, AND UTENSILS
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code hs / Chapter 438 / Section 438.013

## Text

(a) A person who operates or manages a hotel, cafe, restaurant, dining car, drugstore, soda fountain, meat market, bakery, confectionery, liquor dispensary, or other establishment where food or drink is served to the public may not furnish to a person a dish, receptacle, or utensil that after its previous use has not been washed in warm water containing soap or alkali cleanser until the item is clean to the sight and touch.

(b) A dish or utensil that has been cleaned or polished with a poisonous substance may not be offered for use to a person or used in the manufacturing of food unless all traces of the poisonous substance have been removed from the dish or utensil.

(c) In this section, "liquor dispensary" means a place where malt beverages, wine, or any other alcoholic beverage is stored, prepared, labeled, bottled, served, or handled.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.001 § 438.001. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.001.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.002 § 438.002. EXEMPTIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.002.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.003 § 438.003. SALE FROM SELF-SERVICE CONTAINERS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.003.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.004 § 438.004. STRICTER RULES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.004.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.005 § 438.005. SALE OF UNPACKAGED FOOD; CRIMINAL PENALTY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.005.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.006 § 438.006. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.006.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.011 § 438.011. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.011.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.012 § 438.012. USE OF UNCLEAN DISHES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.012.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.013 § 438.013. CLEANING DISHES, RECEPTACLES, AND UTENSILS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.013.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.014 § 438.014. STERILIZATION OF FOOD SERVICE ITEMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.014.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.015 § 438.015. USE OF DAMAGED DISHES, RECEPTACLES, OR UTENSILS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.015.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.016 § 438.016. NAPKINS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.016.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.017 § 438.017. PROTECTION OF OTHER FOOD SERVICE ITEMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.017.md)
- [Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.018 § 438.018. CRIMINAL PENALTY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.018.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.013. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.