About NRH Restaurant Inspections & Scores 

The City of North Richland Hills  Consumer Health Division inspects all food establishments within our city limits including full-service restaurants, fast food, grocery stores, convenience stores, child care facilities and temporary food service events. 

Important Notice

Effective January 2023, inspections will be scored using a new scoring method where 100 points is a perfect score and points are deducted for each violation.  A higher score means few violations were found during the inspection, while a lower score means more violations were found.  

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What do the Scores Mean?

It is important to remember that scores represent only a snapshot of the facility at the time the inspector arrived. The conditions could be better or worse while an inspector is not present. Starting in January 2023, inspection scores can range from 100 to 0.  A score of "100" indicates no points off due to food safety violations. 

Inspections prior to January 2023 used a different scoring method where "0" was a perfect score and demerits were issued for each food safety violation. Under the prior method, a low score meant few violations were found, while a higher score meant more violations were found. 

If you have questions about food safety inspection scores or how to evaluate scores, please contact your Consumer Health Inspector at ConsumerHealth@nrhtx.com or 817-427-6650.

New Scoring System for 2023

The Texas Department of State Health Services has updated the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER, 25 TAC Ch. 228) and adopted the 2017 FDA Model Food Code. Included with this code update, the State of Texas increased the number of violation categories from 47 to 56 on the inspection form and eliminated the scoring mechanism for food safety inspections.  

Tarrant County Public Health and other local jurisdictions have worked together to develop a scoring mechanism similar to a standard grading system from 100 (no food safety violations) to 0 (all items incorrect). The new scoring method will be used by NRH inspectors starting in January 2023.

Summary of NEW Tarrant-Area Scoring Method

• 56 violation categories (previously 47)
• Each violation is weighted as 3, 2, or 1 points off
  • 3 points:  violations most likely to contribute to foodborne illness or injury
  • 2 points:  other violations that may lead to foodborne illness
  • 1 point:   items intended to control pathogens, chemical, or physical objects in food
• A score of “100” indicates no points off due to food safety violations
  • Higher scores indicate better overall operations
  • Lower  scores indicate needed improvement
  • Very low scores will result in increased inspections, reinspection fees, or citations

The previous method of scoring relied on counting demerits, and low scores were considered "Outstanding." Under the new scoring mechanism, higher scores are considered "Outstanding." NRH Consumer Health plans to transition to the new Tarrant-Area scoring method in January 2023; please be aware that scores posted prior to the date of transition will not change. 

Helpful Links

Texas Food Establishment Rules and the 2017 Food Code (adopted by Texas in August 2021): https://www.dshs.texas.gov/foodestablishments/laws-rules.aspx

Code references for the NEW 56-Category Food Safety Inspection:  https://www.dshs.texas.gov/foodestablishments/pdf/GuidanceDocs/Reg-Code-Quick-Reference_56Item_Version1_0---August-2021-FINAL.pdf                 

If you have questions about food safety inspection scores or how to evaluate scores, please contact your Consumer Health Inspector at ConsumerHealth@nrhtx.com or 817-427-6650.