# Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.014: STERILIZATION OF FOOD SERVICE ITEMS

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chs_C438_S438.014

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Health and Safety Code § 438.014
- **Heading:** STERILIZATION OF FOOD SERVICE ITEMS
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code hs / Chapter 438 / Section 438.014

## Text

(a) After cleaning dishes, receptacles, utensils, food-grinding machines, and implements as required by Section 438.012 or 438.013, the items shall be:

(1) placed in a wire cage and immersed in a still bath of clear water for at least:

(A) three minutes in water heated to a minimum temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit; or

(B) two minutes in water heated to a minimum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit;

(2) immersed for at least two minutes in a lukewarm chlorine bath made up at a strength of 100 parts per milliliter or more of hypochlorites and not reduced to less than 50 parts per milliliter available chlorine, or a concentration of equal bacteriacidal strength if chloramines are used; or

(3) sterilized by any other chemical method approved by the department.

(b) A three-compartment vat shall be used to sterilize dishes, receptacles, and utensils if a chlorine solution is used. The first compartment of the vat shall be used for washing, the second compartment for plain rinsing, and the third compartment for chlorine immersion. A satisfactory rinsing or spraying device may be substituted for the second rinsing compartment on an existing installation.

(c) The same chlorine solution may not be used as bacteriacidal treatment for more than one day.

(d) After sterilization, all dishes, receptacles, and utensils shall be stored in a manner that protects the food service items from contaminants.

(e) Subsections (a)-(d) do not apply to an establishment that uses electrically operated dishwashing and glasswashing machines that clean and sterilize mechanically.

## 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_S438.014. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.