Make the Smart Choice

Unpermitted food vendors are those vendors that do not obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Health and operate in a manner that compromises food safety. These operations are usually found outdoors, in vacant lots, on street corners or roaming door to door through neighborhoods. Sometimes the vending takes place out of the trunk of a car. The following health concerns are commonly associated with illegal vendors:

• Food stored and prepared directly on the dirt
• Little or no protection from airborne contaminants
• No electricity
• No potable water
• No restrooms
• No handwashing stations
• No dish sinks
• No refrigeration or hot holding equipment
• No thermometers
• Build-up of garbage and food debris on the ground
• Vermin and insects
• No method of tracing food back to its original source
• No food safety training for employees

There is an elevated risk for illness to be transmitted through food sold in this manner. Without bathrooms, the vendors are forced to go to the bathroom on the ground and resume their food preparation activities without washing their hands. Garbage and discarded food are allowed to blow about or accumulate on the ground adding to the sanitation problems generated by this activity. 

The food that is sold by these unpermitted vendors is often held out of safe temperature ranges, comes from an unknown or unapproved source, and may be contaminated due to vermin (such as cockroaches and rats) or poor food handling techniques. There is no one inspecting these types of operations therefore there is no way to tell if the food is safe.

Many customers view the roadside food vendors as a chance to purchase “ethnic” foods not found in many commercial markets. They often do not understand the risks associated with eating food prepared by these vendors. Some may wrongly assume that the vendors actually are licensed and inspected by the Health Department. How can you Make the Right Choice and lessen your risk of foodborne illness by ensuring you are only buying food from a vendor with a valid health permit?  See below…