Tex. Health & Safety Code Section 438.013
Cleaning Dishes, Receptacles, and Utensils

(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.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1359 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 393, eff. September 1, 2021.

Source: Section 438.013 — Cleaning Dishes, Receptacles, and Utensils, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.­438.­htm#438.­013 (accessed May 26, 2025).

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Verified:
May 26, 2025

§ 438.013. Cleaning Dishes, Receptacles, & Utensils's source at texas​.gov