Unsafe and Unsanitary Conditions Found at Illegal roadside and sidewalk stands
The Santa Barbara County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) reminds the community that unpermitted roadside and pop-up food vendors often operate illegally and without proper food safety practices.
For over 100 years, EHS has worked to keep the food supply safe by setting strict standards and conducting regular inspections, helping to ensure that the public faces a very low risk of foodborne illness. While unpermitted food stands may seem convenient, inexpensive, or even exciting, they often operate under unsafe and illegal conditions. Investigations have confirmed cases of salmonella infections and other foodborne illnesses linked to unpermitted roadside vendors in the County. Unsafe conditions observed include:
- Cockroach and pest infestations in vehicles and equipment
- No handwashing facilities or restrooms for workers
- Lack of refrigeration, with many vendors transporting food long distances without temperature control
- Adulterated or unknown food sources
- Improper cooking and serving temperatures
- Unclean equipment, utensils, and food preparation areas
“Unpermitted food vendors often bypass health regulations, putting people at serious risk of foodborne illness,” said Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, “We encourage residents to only eat from food vendors displaying a valid health permit and to look for signs that food safety standards are being followed.”
There are several ways the public can protect themselves and ensure the food they eat is safe:
- Buy from Permitted Businesses: Restaurants, food trucks, and certified farmers’ markets permitted by County Health undergo regular inspections to meet strict health and safety standards. Look for a posted health permit before you buy.
- Support Local Farmers and Producers: The County has an incredible variety of local food producers. Shopping at certified farmers’ markets or farm-to-table restaurants ensures you’re getting fresh, local food that supports our economy and meets health regulations.
- Know Before You Eat: Many foodborne illnesses can be avoided if consumers choose only permitted sources. Unpermitted vendors may not follow hygiene or food safety practices, raising the risk of contamination.
“By choosing safe, permitted, and local food, you are protecting your health and supporting the businesses that operate responsibly,” said Jason Johnston, Environmental Health Services Director. “Together, we can build a stronger, healthier community by making informed decisions about the food we eat. Eat safe, eat local.”
To report an unpermitted roadside food vendor or other concern please complete our online form http://bit.ly/3W9cQhS
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Illegal is illegal, and these street vendors create additional strain on the restaurants that are playing by the rules.
Stupid is as stupid does, and you’re quite the doer.
“Illegal is Illegal” Like armed MAGA on Jan 6th?
“Illegal is illegal” like masked, unidentifiable federal troops, attackling journalists and arresting citizens?
“Illegal is illegal” like masked, unidentifiable federal troops, attacking journalists and citizens?
Agree. It’s funny though how often we see folks around here that don’t see that, and vehemently disagree, from street vendors to illegal immigration and everywhere in between. Attacking law enforcement? Hey, why not! I suppose they are the highly vocal minority.
Laws matter. I wonder if ultra-liberals will ever realize that most U.S. citizens believe strongly in laws and support law enforcement. Let’s hope so.
BASIC – ” Attacking law enforcement? Hey, why not!”
Yep, just like your kind did on Jan 6th. You can’t be be a Trump supporter and honestly say you support the police.
Baloney. Those clowns weren’t “my kind” at all. I can tell you’re confused because everything’s black and white with you. That’s a bad way to look at life. Politics isn’t perfect. Nothing is.
And yes, the MAGA crowd is absolutely “your kind.” You make that clear every day here.
BASIC – yet you’ve never once denounced them so….
Who here said they supported the pardoning? I didn’t. Making stuff up once again. I guess that’s called being a liar, isn’t it? Just give it up.
“Laws Matter” Now do January 6th.
Cockroaches have decent protein content though right?
It is pathetic how anonymous bigots associate cosckroaches with brown skinned people.
No one’s doing that. See the photo showing a cockroach in the article? Weak lie once again. Why someone would even say such a thing is just sad.
You just want them out of the country.
Thanks for the reminder! Now, where can I get some of that pastor? I was just thinking about that tent by Target. Best pastor tacos I’ve had since I was marlin fishing in Baja.
They call me “Street Meat Pete.”
Its time to support street vendors even more than before. They should be allowed on State Street as well!
It’s lunch time! Where is a good food vendor to get some al pastor tacos?
MAGAcans believe bacteria, bleach and sunshine cure cancer, but are afraid of al pastor.
That fugly hunk of pastor in the bucket is out there somewhere!
This article really lit up the Muppet Show.
I’ve spent many years in different parts of Mexico, and food poisoning from food carts is a very real thing. Locals warn of the sometimes deadly bacteria risk of eating from the outdoor vendors . I knew a local in Zihuatanejo that was hospitalized for months. So beware.
Live in constant fear. Be afraid of everything.
No GT
Just be aware.
It is sad to watch people taking sides on this issue based on their view of the commentator’s politics alone. Progressives led the charge in this country for food safety laws, safe working conditions, fair compensation for labor, abolishing indentured servitude and requiring health and safety inspections on public dining facilities. Conservatives want fair competition, equal application of laws, consistent fair use of public space that does not disadvantage the public, etc. But apparently applying these conservative and progressive programs to a behavior associated with immigrants makes them reactionary or lelftist. Please judge the request for compliance with long standing health and safety and fair employment laws as salutatory and support the application of these civil society rules to all equally. This is not a left/right issue.
RHS – Not sure this is really a left/right issue. I’m a pretty progressive liberal and think this has nothing to do with anything but over regulation. If you don’t want to eat street meat, keep walking. There aren’t enough of these around to seriously affect local restaurants. I’m a live and let live kind of person and just don’t see the need for all this.
I’m fine with enforcing existing laws and writing tickets if the vendors are violating them, but spending money on “task forces” or other excessive regulation doesn’t make sense to me given the nature of this issue.
I will say though, I am upset how many times these food vendors are targeted by racists. Despite BASIC saying “that never happens,” it does…. a LOT. And yes, you do see a FAR larger outcry from MAGAts over these, most likely because they assume they’re “illegals,” so in that sense you may be right.
And RHS – “Conservatives want…. equal application of laws…”
LOL! Have you not been reading the news the last few years? I know you’re not MAGA, but you can’t really think this is true when they pardon violent criminals while at the same time grabbing people off the street based ONLY on skin color and denying them due process…..
I said “conservatives” want equal application. I did not say “MAGA” which simply wants its own way. I think you know that there is a huge gap between intelligent people on each side of these issues and the MAGA crazies and those who manipulate them.
Conservatives don’t exist anymore. They vote for MAGA and don’t stand up for their own claimed values and beliefs, they are now MAGA. Our 2 party system is now Democrats and MAGA.
Nope. When you vote republican you vote “MAGA”. THAT MAKES YOU MAGA. You were told about everything that was going to happen (is actually happening) and you said “Yep, that’s for me.” You do NOT get to undo what you have done. You do NOT get to distance your self from MAGA. There is no huge gap in intelligence between you and MAGA (if you voted R). MAGA and the general R (that checked ‘yes’ to destroy the US) have the same intelligence – just above that of a rock, but way more dangerous due to the Dunning-Kruger effect. SAC says he knows you’re not MAGA. I’m not too sure about that. Your both-sides-isms is really lame. The MAGA kind of lame.
If only the city had a reasonable process for permitting and approving food vendors instead of just attacking them…
As usual, the city of SB is just ignoring state law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_Sidewalk_Vending_Act
Agreed 100%. The county was only not too long ago allowed to have cottage food industries in the home and to be permitted for it – so they should do street vendor permitting next.
JAGGED – exactly. This kind of entrepreneurship should be encouraged. If people want to buy street tacos for less than a brick and mortar place who also forces tipping on customers (some have options that start at 20%) for handing them their food and are hungry after hours (since everything here closes at 9), they should be able to. These places provide those services and have (usually) delicious food.
Instead of harassing them, let’s help them with compliance so they can continue to provide a much desired product!