In Hays County, food establishment inspection Reports do not offer a scoring grade

Instead, the reports only indicate if the establishment passed or failed. Obtaining these reports is also not easy, as interested parties must either create an account on the county website and submit an information request for the specific establishment or go to the office in person. This is different from most health department agencies, which routinely post scores on their websites. While it is commendable that Hays County is ensuring that its residents are informed about food establishment inspections, the lack of scoring grades and the difficulty in obtaining reports may make it more challenging for people to make informed decisions about where to eat.

Since December 2022, only one food establishment in Hays County has failed an inspection, and it was a pre-operational inspection, meaning it had not yet opened for business. While this suggests that the county’s food establishments generally meet the necessary health and safety standards, it is important to note that passing inspections does not guarantee that all restaurants are safe. In some cases, it may even indicate a lack of rigor on the part of the health inspector. It is still essential for consumers to practice caution and report any potential health violations they may come across.