Code at the State Fair: Sanitarians perform pre-inspections of food vendors

Being thorough is a very important part of Eduardo Carrizales’ job.

“I want to check everything,” said Carrizales, Senior Sanitarian, City of Dallas Code Compliance.

Throughout the year Carrizales and others in Code have caseloads full of food establishments, but this month the State Fair takes precedence.

“The work that we do performing regular inspections at restaurants does prepare you to do inspections here at the Fair,” said Carrizales.

Today, as the setup for the festivities continues, Carrizales is working with his list of vendors for pre-inspections.

“Our form has a long checklist of making sure we check everything, the structure, making sure they have hot water, cold water, making sure they have their food thermometer,” said Carrizales.

Last year, Code performed over 900 food inspections at the State Fair. In his sixth year with the city, Carrizales knows who is most vulnerable and why pre-inspections are just as important.

“My biggest concern is kids and the elderly. They’re the population that would be most greatly affected if they were to get sick,” said Carrizales.

His efforts give a glimpse into the method of meticulousness sanitarians in Code need.

“I don’t want to be in the news and the fair to be featured that there was a food-borne illness and there were so many people who got sick. I want to prevent something like that,” said Carrizales.

For the millions of people coming to the fair this year who want to try different foods, Carrizales leaves you with a little advice.

“Come to the fair. There’s an inspector here every day, just have fun,” said Carrizales.

To learn more about the services Code’s Consumer Health division provides, visit the department online.

The 2023 State Fair of Texas runs from September 29 to October 22. To view the video, link here.