Salvage Brokers & Establishments - Texas Dept of State Health Services

Salvage brokers and establishments handle distressed merchandise. Distressed merchandise is any food, drug, device, or cosmetic that is tainted or misbranded under the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and includes merchandise that: 

• Lost its label or is unidentifiable
• Is improperly stored
• Has been in abnormal environmental conditions, including extreme temperature, humidity, smoke, water, fumes, pressure, or radiation
• Has been in conditions that have changed its strength, purity, or quality  
• Is unsafe or unsuitable for human consumption or use for any other reason 

Any business operating as a salvage broker must be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). See below for examples of who this would include: 

• A person who engages in the selling, distributing, or trafficking of distressed or salvaged merchandise without operating a salvage establishment
• A salvage establishment engaged in reconditioning or salvaging distressed merchandise
• A salvage establishment that buys, sells, or distributes salvaged merchandise for human use)

To learn more about becoming licensed, visit the applications and forms webpage.