Clark County (WA) Public Health urges community members to only purchase food from permitted food carts, event vendors and restaurants. Permitted food establishments undergo routine inspections to ensure that safe food handling, storage and preparation practices are followed, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
The health department is concerned about unsafe food practices occurring at unauthorized food carts selling hot dogs in the parking lot of the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater after concerts at the venue. The makeshift food carts are not equipped to properly store or prepare food as they lack refrigeration, clean water and hand washing facilities.
Storing food at the proper temperature (keeping cold food cold and hot food hot) is critical to preventing the growth of germs that cause foodborne illness. Foods must also be thoroughly cooked to the proper temperatures to kill any germs that may have grown. And hand washing is essential to prevent germs from being spread through the hands through the food people eat.
“These unauthorized food carts are dangerous and put people at risk for foodborne illness,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health Director and Health Officer.
The illegal food vendors first appeared in Clark County in August, and since then the number of carts appearing at events has increased. The carts are transported to the venue in vans with out-of-state license plates before or during the concerts, and vendors begin serving hot dogs as people leave the event venue. Similar food carts are popping up elsewhere in the region, including in the region Portland And Seattle.
The Public Health Food Safety Team has been working to address unsafe food operations. However, food cart operators have ignored directions from the Ministry of Health and continue to operate in ways that are unsafe for the public. Public Health is working closely with Live Nation and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to find solutions that protect the health of the community.
Community members can protect themselves from foodborne illness by patronizing only permitted food establishments. Permitted vendors are provided education on safe food handling, storage and preparation, and undergo routine inspections to ensure compliance with safe food handling practices. These efforts help prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella, E. coli and norovirus.
Food vendors must show their Clark County Public Health food service operating permit for customers to view. Customers can ask to see the permit if it is not visible. Community members can also search for permitted food establishments and view inspection scores Public Health website.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)