About to order my health inspection for my new shop in San Antonio, TX. Can anyone tell me exactly what signs I need to have hanging and if there is a particular place for each? Also, I know I need to have certain chemicals at my 3-compartment sink. Can you tell me exactly what those are?

For the sink chemicals - and I'm talking about my state, but I really think all states are the same, you have a choice of three systems

Iodine
Quatanery Ammonium
Chlorine

Just make sure you pick the test strips for the chemical you purchase. They are not interchangeable.

Frankly I use chlorine (bleach). Cheap and it works fine. And doesn't take much. That's what the test strips are for.

In culinary school we used Quat. It is easier on your skin. Chlorine dries out your hands.

Thanks so much. How about signs? I have an Emloyees must wash their hands, etc on my bathroom door as you enter. Are there any others?

Don't know about San Antonio Proper...Will be opening myself in North SA with my cupcake biz, so in the process of getting the requirements for Bexar county. Where in SA are you going to be friend! And Congrats on finally getting it going!

Here in Comal County your 3 sink must be labled Wash/Rinse/Sanitize on the wall over each bay showing its purpose. The fire marshall assigns your occupancy load so don't worry about that. Typically your license, Resale Tax Cert, and Food Manager cert need to be visible to the public, generally displayed on the wall behind the counter. And typically your inspection sheet must be also in plain view for your customers once it is given to you. The HD should tell you if you need anything else. Chances are you won't fail if a sign is missing, they will simply tell you that you need one and where, then take care of it and you're all good. I am sure you will do just fine!

Thanks cakesdivine! I am at 150 W. Olmos Drive. Where will you be? I will have to visit you when you are open. Please stop by and say hello!

Just going thru an inspection yesterday, you will probably need a No Smoking sign, I did anyway. Luckily I had it on the door coming into the shop. I also had to have a Wash, Rinse, Sanitize sign above the 3 compartment sink. Make sure that your cabinets, shelving etc. have no raw wood showing. The base cabinets that I have are used and when the kick plate (bottom of cabinet that raises it off the floor), was screwed to the bottom, a couple screws came thru and cracked the finish of the bottom shelf. That was a 1 point deduction in my score. The other point deducted was for the paint color that I had chosen. I had already painted the walls a chocolate color (6 coats to achieve a nice cover), I find out that they wanted a light color. I took the point. Oh well, I had a 98.
HTH

Thanks Vicki. Off to buy a no-smoking sign an the 3 for above the sink! Congrats and good luck!

Vicki, where did you find your wash/rinse/sanitize signs?

I just made mine myself on the computer and put in frames on the wall. Much cheaper than having the engraved signs done.

The lady from the health dept. gave me the sign (nothing fancy) and I put a mat around it and framed it. It is just a generic pic of a sink with each compartment labeled. HTH