Salt Lake County health officials warn against eating at unpermitted ‘pop-up’ food vendors

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Health Officials with the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) are warning against eating at unpermitted food vendors.

According to the Salt Lake County Health Department, there is potential risk that comes from eating food from mobile food vendors, also known as “pop-up,” vendors, who do not have a valid food service permit issued from the health department.

Reportedly these vendors haven’t been inspected and may not follow food safety practices. Those practices include maintaining food at proper temperatures and requiring regular hand washing.

Andrea Gamble, food protection supervisor for the SLCoHD Food Protection Bureau, said, “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.”

“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,” she added.

Food service permits are specific to each business and the owners. Pop-up owners cannot use permits from businesses that share the same location and must use a food service permit that is specific to them and their operations.

Gamble continued, “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.”

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), foodborne illness can be caused by a variety of bacteria. Symptoms can include stomach pain and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and muscle weakness.

In severe cases, foodborne illness can lead to death. The FDA notes that there are approximately 48 million cases of foodborne illness, with 3,000 related deaths each year.

“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.

Pop-up and mobile food vendors can learn about getting a food service permit here. Community members can report unpermitted food service by visiting SaltLakeHealth.org.