The Retail Food Safety Program of the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) is committed to improving food safety in Smith County and its cities. As part of this effort, we conducted a Risk Factor Study in 2022 to evaluate key foodborne illness risk factors in various food service establishments
Purpose
The study aimed to:
Study Timeline
•Conducted: July – November 2022
•Next Study Planned: November 2027
Key Risk Factors Assessed
The study focused on five primary risk factors for foodborne illness:
•Improper food holding temperatures
•Inadequate cooking
•Contaminated equipment
•Poor employee hygiene
•Food from unsafe sources
Facilities Included
NET Health surveyed 202 establishments across multiple facility types:
•Full-service & fast-food restaurants
•Retail food store delis
•Long-term care facilities & hospitals
•Schools
Findings from this study establish a baseline for food safety trends. Moving forward, NET Health will:
•Implement intervention strategies such as training materials and visual education tools.
•Conduct a follow-up study in 2027 to measure improvements.
•Offer guidance and training aids tailored to facility needs.