Ghost Kitchen Inspection Checklist for Austin, Texas

What Austin Health Inspectors Look For in Ghost Kitchens

The Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department (ATXHHS) inspects ghost kitchens under the Texas Food Rules and local ordinances. Inspectors prioritize temperature control (hot/cold holding), handwashing stations, staff hygiene, and food sourcing documentation. Because ghost kitchens often share equipment and prep surfaces with other operators, inspectors scrutinize separation protocols and allergen controls. They also verify that all staff have current food handler cards and that the facility maintains proper permits for the specific cuisines or processing methods being used.

Common Violations in Austin Ghost Kitchens

Ghost kitchen violations in Austin typically center on inadequate temperature monitoring, missing or illegible food labels, and improper storage (raw meat above ready-to-eat foods). Inspectors frequently cite insufficient handwashing access, unclean or improperly stored thermometers, and lack of written Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans for higher-risk foods. Shared-space operations often fail due to unclear labeling of foods belonging to different operators, cross-contamination between allergen-sensitive cuisines, and lack of designated storage areas. Missing pest control documentation and inadequate cleaning logs are also common citations.

Daily and Weekly Self-Inspection Checklist

Each shift, verify that all cold equipment reads 41°F or below and hot-hold equipment maintains 135°F or higher; log temperatures on a visible chart. Check that all opened foods are labeled with the date and time, and remove any items past their hold time. Inspect handwashing stations for soap, paper towels, and clean water; ensure staff wash hands after touching raw foods, phones, or hair. Weekly, deep-clean thermometers with a calibration kit, audit your allergen separation procedures, review staff food handler certifications, and photograph pest control traps and cleaning logs for inspection readiness. Use a digital monitoring system like Panko Alerts to track violations in real-time and receive alerts about new regulatory changes in Austin.

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