Snohomish County health officials are stepping up enforcement against unpermitted food carts and stands, which have been operating illegally and raising public health concerns.
According to a recent warning from the Washington State Food Truck Association, the Snohomish County Health Department’s Food Safety Inspection team has received multiple complaints and has issued cease-and-desist orders to several unauthorized vendors.
Unregulated food carts are seen at street-side locations, often transporting their setups in unmarked vans.
”They don’t have any identifying features — no license plate, no business license to go with, and hence we don’t know for sure if we are tracking the same four or five carts or if there are more. It’s hard to determine,” Tony Colinas, the health department’s Environment Health Assistant Director said.
The primary concern is the potential for foodborne illnesses. Unauthorized food vendors may not be following essential food safety practices, putting consumers at risk of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus. Unauthorized operations often lack refrigeration, access to clean water, and other basic sanitary requirements, the health department said.
Permitted vendors undergo regular inspections and receive training on proper food handling and storage.
“It has definitely increased- we didn’t have complaints like this until 2020,” Colinas said. “It is definitely increasing and I know we didn’t have complaints like this from our neighboring health departments in King and Pierce County — they are also having a big issue.”
The health department said it’s received illness reports from individuals who purchased food from unpermitted stands. Similar operations have been identified in other metropolitan areas, including Portland and Seattle, suggesting a broader regional issue.
The county health department advises that people only purchase food from permitted vendors, event food stands, and restaurants.
You can verify whether a vendor is permitted by looking for a clearly displayed health department food service operating permit. If a permit is not visible, people can ask the vendor to provide one or check the county’s database of licensed food establishments and inspection reports.
People who suspect they became ill from eating food from an unpermitted vendor are encouraged to report their symptoms using the Washington state reporting system, FINS, or call the illness reporting voicemail line at 425-339-8680. Complaints can also be submitted through the food safety voicemail line at 425-339-8730 or via email at food.safety@snohd.org.
“I feel bad for the employees because they aren’t the owners of these vans - like the person on the card is not the owner,” Colinas said.
The county recognizes the vital role that food vendors play in the local economy and encourages unpermitted vendors to obtain the necessary permits to operate legally. Health officials offer consultations and guidance to help vendors navigate the application process and comply with safety standards.
