(Woodland, CA) – The Yolo County Environmental Health Division (Environmental Health) urges residents to purchase foods from permitted food facilities and avoid buying food from unpermitted street food vendors. Eating foods purchased from unpermitted food operators may cause foodborne illnesses, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Food facilities – restaurants, markets, and mobile food trucks and carts – are permitted and regulated by Environmental Health. Environmental Health Specialists inspect permitted food facilities for safe food handling and employee hygiene.

Consumers can determine if a food facility is permitted in several ways. In addition to a prominently displayed health permit, fixed food facilities and food trucks have a color-coded placard. The placards are green (for ‘pass’), yellow (for ‘conditional pass,’ or red (for ‘closed’), and must be displayed at the entrance of the food facility or another approved prominent location. Permitted food trucks and push carts will also have a permit sticker. Find the most recent results of inspections on Environmental Health’s website.

Unpermitted street food operations are unsafe because they are not regulated or inspected by Environmental Health. Grocery carts used as makeshift food carts and tents or tables set up in a parking lot (e.g., pop-ups) are examples of unpermitted street food vending. These operations cannot be permitted for several reasons, including a lack of handwashing and toilet facilities and foods that may have been made or stored in unsanitary conditions.

Preparing and selling most types of food made at home is not allowed in Yolo County. Selling food without a valid health permit can cause consumers to become ill and is an unfair business practice. Operating without a valid health permit can result in fines, penalties, and prosecution.

Environmental Health has seen an increase in illegal street vending complaints throughout the county. Inspectors will respond to complaints about unpermitted street food and require vendors to cease operation and obtain a permit.

For more information about Yolo County Environmental Health’s Food Programs, including how to obtain a food facility permit or make a complaint, please contact (530) 666-8646 or visit  https://www.yolocounty.org/government/general-government-departments/community-services/environmental-health-division.