Make The Smart Choice
Make the Smart Choice!
The Department of Environmental Health works hard to protect the public from the
unseen dangers associated with improper food handling and cross contamination. Preventing
foodborne illness is our main objective. But we can’t do it alone! The “Make the Smart
Choice” public education campaign was designed to increase public awareness about the dangers of
purchasing and consuming food sold by illegal vendors.
What Is An Illegal Vendor and What Is The Smart Choice?
Illegal food vendors are those vendors that do not obtain a permit from the
Department of Environmental Health and operate openly or covertly 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 ground
·
Vermin and Insects
·
No way to trace the food back to it’s original source
·
No food safety training for the employees
There is an elevated risk for illness to be transmitted through food sold in this
manner. Without bathrooms, the vendors are forced to urinate and defecate 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 adulterated due to
vermin 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 assume that the vendors actually are licensed
and inspected by the Health Department. It is our hope that, through this educational
campaign, the public will gain a clearer view of the dangers associated with these illegal vending
operations as well as understand what key components to look for to make sure the food they are
buying is from a safe, permitted source that is routinely inspected by the Department of
Environmental Health. Our goal is to get consumers thinking about foodborne illness
prevention, to help them identify safe food sources and to ultimately “Make the Smart Choice” when
they purchase food – to only buy food from vendors with valid health permits!
What To Look for
If you are considering purchasing food from a roadside vendor there are some things
you can look for that will tell you that that vendor has been approved by the Health Department and
is being regularly inspected.
The following picture is an example of a permitted mobile food facility, or
cart. The arrows point to the important features that will assist the operator in preparing
food in a safe manner.
·
Enclosure – all food preparation must take place within an enclosure to prevent contamination by
birds, dust, insects, or other airborne hazards.
·
Steamer – an enclosed steamer is capable at keeping food hot at 135
oF or above.
·
Refrigerator – important for cold held food to make sure it is kept at 41
oF or below.
·
Handwashing station with soap and paper towels – handwashing is one of the most important ways to
prevent foodborne illness.
·
Identification signs – these signs let the customers know who they are buying food from and where
it was made. If a customer feels that they got sick from a permitted vendor they can call the
Department of Environmental Health and file a complaint. With the information we will know
exactly how to find the vendor to abate the problem and investigate the complaint.
Always look for the permit sticker!!!!
Permit decal – all permitted mobile food facilities will have this sticker posted on
one side of the cart. The permits must be renewed annually and the color of the decal changes
every year to make it easier to see if the cart has been approved for the current year.
Information Is Available
The Department of Environmental Health has educational materials available
explaining the goals of the public education campaign and the key points to remember when
purchasing food.
For The Kids
It’s never too early to learn how to “Make the Smart Choice”. The Department
has also developed educational materials aimed at children. We invite all kids to become Jr.
Inspectors and help keep food safe!
So How Can I Sell Food On The Roadside LEGALLY?
Check out our
informational bulletin and
Mobile Food Facility Guideline Book for step by step instructions on how to
obtain your Environmental Health permit. If you have any questions regarding opening a mobile
food business please contact our main office at (951) 358-5172.
Need To File A Complaint?
If you have seen an illegal vending operation and would like to assist us by
reporting it please use our
online complaint form.
You may also file complaints on permitted facilities if you believe they are operating outside
of their permit limitations.
Defending Our Food
The FDA, USDA. And CDC have joined forces to develop a food defense initiative to
assist food facility operators in training their employees on what they can do to keep the food
supply protected and safe. The name of this campaign is Employees First because employees
really are the first line of food defense. Preventing intentional contamination of food is
vital in the defense of our country and educating our first line is a critical
step. Facilities that have no food defense protocol in place may find themselves vulnerable to
attack. For more information
visit the FDA’s
website where you can print posters to post in your break room or other areas of your facility
and watch the 12 minute animated training video available through the Employees First campaign.