Sec. 431.2211.  APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER.  (a)  A person is not required to hold a license under this subchapter if the person is:
(1)  a person, firm, or corporation that only harvests, packages, or washes raw fruits or vegetables for shipment at the location of harvest;
(2)  an individual who only sells prepackaged nonperishable foods, including dietary supplements, from a private home as a direct seller;
(3)  a person who holds a license under Chapter 432 and who only engages in conduct within the scope of that license; or
(4)  a restaurant that:
(A)  provides food for immediate human consumption to a political subdivision or to a licensed nonprofit organization if the restaurant would not otherwise be required to hold a license under this subchapter; or
(B)  sells food directly to an individual consumer if:
(i)  the restaurant holds a permit as a food service establishment under Chapter 437;
(ii)  the restaurant complies with Section 437.026; and
(iii)  the restaurant is not otherwise required to hold a license under this subchapter.
(a-1)  A person is not required to hold a license under this subchapter if the person holds a license under Chapter 440 and is engaging in conduct within the scope of that license.
(a-2)  A person is not required to hold a license under this subchapter if the person holds a permit under Chapter 435 related to the processing, producing, bottling, receiving, transferring, or transporting of Grade A milk or milk products and is engaging in conduct within the scope of that permit.
(a-3)  A person is not required to hold a license under this subchapter if the person holds a license under Chapter 443 and is engaging in conduct within the scope of that license.
(b)  An exemption from the licensing requirements prescribed by this subchapter does not exempt the person from other provisions prescribed by this subchapter or from rules adopted by the executive commissioner to administer and enforce those provisions.
(c)  This subchapter does not apply to the distribution of beverages in sealed containers by holders of licenses or permits issued under Chapter 19, 20, 23, or 64, Alcoholic Beverage Code.  The provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Code prevail to the extent of any conflict with this chapter.
(d)  A food wholesaler is not required to obtain a license under this subchapter for a place of business if all of the food distributed from that place of business will be stored in a warehouse licensed under this subchapter.
(e)  A food wholesaler that is not required to obtain a license for a place of business under Subsection (d) shall register that place of business with the department.  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the registration of food wholesalers under this section.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 713, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 28, 1995;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 629, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1378, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 112, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 334, Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 383, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 757, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1317 (S.B. 81), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2012.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0982, eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 764 (H.B. 1325), Sec. 6, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1359 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 392, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 242 (H.B. 1276), Sec. 2, eff. June 4, 2021.