Health Officials Warn Against Eating at Unpermitted Food Vendors
To protect against foodborne illness, confirm that vendors—especially mobile vendors and “pop-up” food service establishments—have a valid health department permit in their name
SALT LAKE COUNTY—The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) is warning community members about the potential dangers of eating food from “pop-up” or mobile food vendors who do not have a valid health department food service permit.
“Food vendors without a permit haven’t been inspected and may not follow essential food safety practices like regular hand washing and maintaining food at proper temperatures,” said Andrea Gamble, food protection supervisor for the SLCoHD Food Protection Bureau. “Decrease your chances of foodborne illness by confirming that food vendors you visit prominently display a current Salt Lake County Health Department permit on their vehicle, cart or booth.”
Additionally, food service permits are specific to each business and its owners, not a location or address, so “pop-up” food service establishments cannot use a permit belonging to another business operating out of the same space on a different day or at a different time—they must maintain their own food service permit specific to their menu, their operations and their employees.
“The presence of a permit indicates that inspectors are routinely visiting to confirm an establishment’s cleanliness and that the business’s employees are following safe food handling practices,” continued Gamble. “Employees of another business that happens to be using the same space at different hours may not be as vigilant about food safety as the employees of the business that has a permit for the space.”
Food safety experts suggest that potential customers proactively look for a current SLCoHD food service permit—in the advertised name of the business—before placing an order. If they don’t see one, ask if the business has a health department permit; if it does not—don’t eat there.
“Our inspectors are here to help food vendors be successful and keep food safe for people to enjoy,” said Gamble. “Help do your part to keep yourself healthy by only patronizing businesses that have taken the important steps necessary to maintain a permit.”
The SLCoHD Food Protection Bureau is available to assist pop-up and mobile food vendors with getting the right food service permit for their operation. The bureau website at SaltLakeHealth.org/Food has information about the steps necessary to receive a mobile food service permit and department staff are available to assist vendors with the application process.
"Operating without a permit isn’t safe for the public, and it's not fair to the thousands of permitted food businesses in the county that are operating legally and receiving inspections,” said Gamble.
It is a violation of Salt Lake County health regulation to sell or provide food to the public without a valid food service permit. Violating a health regulation can result in criminal and civil penalties.
Community members may report unpermitted food service by visiting SaltLakeHealth.org and clicking “Report a Problem.”