Express Food Mart
Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025
100
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Express Food Mart, the earliest from 2024. Express Food Mart was last inspected on Oct 20, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around seven violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “refrigerated storage” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Express Food Mart is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 20, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 10, 2025
Routine
15 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 15 violations
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(01)
Table-mounted equipment. equipment that is fixed because it is not easily moveable not installed so that it is: spaced to allow access for cleaning along the sides, behind, and above the equipment / spaced from adjoining equipment, walls, and ceilings a distance of not more than one millimeter or one-thirty-second inch / sealed to adjoining equipment, walls or ceilings, if the equipment is exposed to spillage or seepage, is not spaced from adjoining equipment, walls or ceilings to allow access for cleaning, and requires no utility connections. this subsection does not apply to shelving units, refrigeration units and freezer units used for consumer display in retail store shopping areas, if the floor under the units is kept clean.
20-21.10(k)(02)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Materials; general. canvas cloths. with the exception of approved easily cleanable belts on equipment used for the conveying or shaping and conveying of bakery products in the precooked stage and napkins used when serving bread and rolls, use of canvas cloths or other cloth materials as food-contact surfaces is prohibited.
20-21.10(a)(06)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Cleaning frequency. dry cleaning. surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cleaned in equipment such as ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment at a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. this subsection does not apply when dry cleaning methods are used as specified in subitems a and b of this item.
(corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
Cleaning frequency. nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned as often as is necessary to keep the equipment free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris.
20-21.11(a)(07)
Water under pressure. water under pressure and at required temperature not provided to all fixtures and equipment that use water. if hot water is used, it shall be at least 110°f (43°c) except as specified in sections 20-21.12(d)(02) and 20-21.19(b) of this code.
20-21.15(c)
Storage. outside storage areas / enclosures not constructed of durable and cleanable material / not large enough to store the garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse containers that accumulate / not kept clean.
20-21.20(b)(03)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by using appropriate methods of pest control, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified under section 20-21.27 of this code.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(03)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Attachments. light fixtures / vent covers / wall-mounted fans / similar equipment not including decorative items attached to walls and ceilings not easily cleanable / not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
General. at least 50 foot-candles (540 lux) of light not provided at a surface where a food employee may be working with food / with utensils / with equipment such as knives / slicers / grinders / saws where employee safety is a factor.
20-21.24(a)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
47
Sep 16, 2025
Reinspection (002)
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Cross contamination. except as specified in subitem c of this item, food not protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding and display from: raw ready to eat foods including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish or other raw ready to eat food such as vegetables; cooked ready to eat foods. frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready to eat food.
20-21.02(b)(01)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
78
Jun 15, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
18 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 18 violations
Hot storage. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food to be transported not being held at 135°f (57°c) or above.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(c)(02)
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
20-20(c)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) / ready to eat food opened / prepared / packaged and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours not clearly marked to indicate “time food is opened / prepared” and “disposition date”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
20-21.03(a)(05)
Materials; general. canvas cloths. with the exception of approved easily cleanable belts on equipment used for the conveying or shaping and conveying of bakery products in the precooked stage and napkins used when serving bread and rolls, use of canvas cloths or other cloth materials as food-contact surfaces is prohibited.
20-21.10(a)(06)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
Toilet fixtures. toilet room not provided with at least one covered waste receptacle.
20-21.18(d)
Containers. containers stored outside the establishment / dumpsters / compactors / compactor systems / receptacles / waste handling units for refuse / recyclables / and returnables not provided with tight-fitting lids / doors / covers, not kept covered when not in actual use. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs shall be in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Protective shielding. light bulbs not shielded / coated / otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food, clean equipment / utensils / linens / unwrapped single-service or single-use articles, except as specified in subitems a and b of this item shielded / coated / otherwise shatter-resistant bulbs need not be provided in areas used only for storing food and single-service articles in unopened packages if the integrity of the packages cannot be affected by broken glass falling onto them and the packages are capable of being cleaned of debris from broken bulbs before the packages are opened.
20-21.24(b)(01)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
41
Feb 12, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) / ready to eat food opened / prepared / packaged and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours not clearly marked to indicate “time food is opened / prepared” and “disposition date”.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. person in charge not ensuring that employees are using proper methods to rapidly cool time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
Storage. outside storage areas / enclosures not constructed of durable and cleanable material / not large enough to store the garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse containers that accumulate / not kept clean.
20-21.20(b)(03)
86
Oct 10, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not being rapidly cooled to an internal temperature of 41°f (5°c) or below as required.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) / ready to eat food opened / prepared / packaged and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours not clearly marked to indicate “time food is opened / prepared” and “disposition date”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Temperature measuring device, food. food temperature measuring devices accurate to ±02°f in the intended range of use not provided / not used to assure attainment and maintenance of proper internal cooking, holding, or refrigeration temperatures of all time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food if the thermometers are scaled only in fahrenheit. if the thermometers are scaled in celsius or dually scaled, they shall be accurate to ±01°c in the intended range of use. a temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses not provided / not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods, such as meat patties and fish fillets.
20-21.04(i)
Using chemicals for sanitization. when using chemicals for sanitization, a test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration of the solution in parts per million or milligrams per liter not provided and used.
20-21.12(g)
Storage. outside storage areas / enclosures not constructed of durable and cleanable material / not large enough to store the garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse containers that accumulate / not kept clean.
20-21.20(b)(03)
Containers. containers stored outside the establishment / dumpsters / compactors / compactor systems / receptacles / waste handling units for refuse / recyclables / and returnables not provided with tight-fitting lids / doors / covers, not kept covered when not in actual use. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs shall be in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
70
May 7, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. each mechanically refrigerated facility storing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be provided with numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only. . recording thermometers, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only, may be used in lieu of indicating thermometers. thermometers that are scaled in celsius or dually scaled in celsius and fahrenheit shall be designed to be easily readable and accurate to ±(1.05°c) in the intended range of use.
20-21.03(b)(01)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
Hair restraint. while handling food or utensils, food employees not wearing effective hair restraints and clothing that covers body hair to prevent the contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint means any cap / hat / hair net made of fabric / cord / plastic / paper that effectively covers and holds hair in place. the use of effective hair restraints also applies to any exposed scalp or facial hair where there is the potential for contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint shall also be used in the partial or complete absence of scalp hair to preclude touching of the scalp and returning to food handling without hand-washing. facial hair restraints are not be required when facial hair is well-groomed and trimmed.
20-21.08(f)
Jewelry and nail polish. while preparing food, unless wearing intact gloves, a food employee may not wear artificial polish or artificial fingernails when working with exposed food. while preparing food, a food employee may not wear any jewelry, including medical identification jewelry, on their arms or hands. this subsection does not apply to a plain ring such as a band style ring.
20-21.08(g)
Materials; general. materials not sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated cleaning and sanitizing / not resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition except for single-service and single-use articles.
20-21.10(a)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Express Food Mart last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Express Food Mart on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Express Food Mart?
Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Express Food Mart.
How does Express Food Mart compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Express Food Mart most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.
Has Express Food Mart's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Express Food Mart have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Express Food Mart means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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