Public Notice: Unpermitted vendors operating in unsanitary conditions
Pima County, (Sept. 27, 2024)—The Pima County Health Department has received two complaints of intestinal distress from people who had eaten food prepared by unpermitted groups operating in unsanitary conditions without a proper permit.
Many of these vendors are set up at various locations throughout the county. According to County health officials, the operators do not have valid permits, have not applied for any, and do not practice the basics of safe food handling. During inspections, consistent observations include:
- Meat transported between Phoenix and Tucson in the back of a truck without any temperature control or protection against contamination.
- No hand washing sinks.
- Food left out without proper temperature control.
The Pima County Health Department’s Consumer Health and Food Safety (CHFS) Division works with food preparers of all types – from school cafeterias, to high-dollar steakhouses, to mom-and-pop taco trucks – to ensure all food preparers are handling food safely.
Inspectors have cited the vendors and issued notice of violation, but this has not stopped the unpermitted vendors from moving and setting up in new locations. In some cases, the operators were combative with inspectors, refusing to follow state law regarding food safety. One of the operators told an inspector they have no intention of ceasing operations. PCHD does not know the names of the unpermitted vendors, but one of the trucks involved has a California license plate.
This is where the unpermitted vendors have been seen:
- 1830 W. Valencia Rd.
- Intersection of Tucson Blvd. and Drexel Rd.
- Intersection of 22nd St. and Craycroft Rd.
- Intersection of La Cañada Dr. and River Rd.
- Intersection of Speedway Blvd. and Pantano Rd.
- Intersection of 1st Ave. and Wetmore Rd.
“These unpermitted food operators not only endanger the public health, but they’re unfair to local permitted food truck operators who have gone through the training and expense to properly prepare and serve food safely at events and locations around the County,” said Loni Anderson, a division manager of public health.
She went on to explain what CHFS is doing about these unpermitted vendors. “We have found that these individuals are non-compliant and plan to continue to set up, so in addition to the Notice of Violations that been issued, we are continuing to pursue compliance, working with legal and law enforcement,” she said. “We are working to remedy this situation and we’re working to address this concern.”
PCHD encourages members of the public to protect themselves against foodborne illnesses and support the local food truck and street vendor industry by avoiding food service operators without permits.
How to ensure a vendor is safe
If a consumer is considering purchasing food from a vendor on the street, at an event, or from a mobile food unit, the first thing they can do to ensure it’s an approved vendor that is using safe food handling practices is to look or ask for a current operating permit issued by PCHD. With a business name or address, consumers can also look at inspection reports on the CHFS website. (Note: temporary food events with proper permits won’t show up due the short duration of operation.)
Permitted vendors attend food safety training, go through the expense of making sure the proper equipment is being used, and are regularly updated on food laws and requirements.
When in doubt, consumers can reach out to CHFS and confirm if an operator is approved to offer food to the public.