It’s important to only purchase food from permitted food carts, event vendors, and restaurants. Permitted vendors receive education about safe food handling, storage and preparation, and undergo routine inspections to ensure safe practices are being followed. As a consumer, we want you to feel confident in the safety of the food you eat, and these food safety efforts help prevent the spread of foodborne illness like salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus.
Public health is aware of and have responded to several unpermitted food carts, trucks and stands resulting in cease-and-desist closures. Unfortunately, many of these unpermitted operations are continuing to sell food without a permit.
Recently, the number of unpermitted carts, trucks and stands at street-side locations has significantly increased. These unpermitted food vendors are not equipped to properly store or prepare food as they lack refrigeration and clean water. Similar operations are appearing elsewhere in the region, including in Spokane, Portland and Seattle.
How do you know if the place you’re wanting to eat at is permitted?
Permitted food vendors are required to have their Snohomish County Health Department food service operating permit displayed for customer viewing. Customers can request to see the permit if one is not visible and can also look up permitted food establishments and inspection reports. Permitted vendors also make sure:
- Food is prepared safely, including produce washing, in an approved commissary.
- Food is kept at proper temperatures, cold holding at below 41° and hot holding above 135°.
- Handwashing is occurring at a handwashing station which has water, soap and paper towels.
- There is no bare hand contact with ready-to- eat foods by wearing gloves or using utensils correctly.
Have customers gotten sick from unpermitted carts, trucks and stands?
Yes. The most common symptoms of foodborne illness include abdominal pain or cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
What should I do if I get sick and think it’s from eating out?
An illness or complaint can be reported using FINS, the Washington state reporting system. You can also report an illness by calling our illness reporting voicemail line 425.339.8680. You can leave a complaint with our food safety voicemail line at 425.339.8730 or email food.safety@snohd.org
How do I get a permit?
Food vendors are essential to our community, and we want to help vendors be successful while also ensuring the public’s safety. We encourage unpermitted vendors to apply for a permit. Requirements that permitted vendors must follow to help prevent foodborne illness can be found on our website. Consultations are available for a fee.
If you’re a food vendor with questions about the permitting process, please reach out to our Food Safety Team. We are happy to assist you.
Protect yourself and help support food vendors that are following food safety best practices.
