Overview
- During a Dec. 23 inspection at the George R. Brown Convention Center, sanitarians found cooked rice out of compliance while other food items passed, according to the Houston Health Department.
- The department cited FDA guidance requiring rice to cool from 135°F to below 70°F within two hours to prevent harmful bacterial growth.
- City Wide Club leaders said they were not consulted before the discard, called it the first such incident in the event’s 47-year history, and requested a formal review by city leadership.
- Health officials said the action was taken to protect public health and planned to return Dec. 24 for a routine reheating inspection while coordinating with organizers.
- Despite the setback, the 47th annual Super Feast went ahead on Christmas Eve, providing meals and services to families as organizers sought to replace lost resources.