You may have seen or even gotten food from a roadside vendor. But, while the food may look and taste delicious, if they don’t follow safe food practices, you could get sick!
That’s why it’s important for food vendors to have a food permit and get inspected. It helps us make sure they store and prepare food safely so customers don’t get sick.
Who needs a permit?
Vendors need a permit to sell, sample, or give away food to the public.
Vendors need a permit for:
- Meat, eggs, fish, or dairy.
- Food you prepare, like burgers, soups, or tacos.
- Cut or prepared fruits or vegetables.
Vendors don’t need a permit for:
- Whole, uncut fruits or vegetables.
- Commercially packaged food that doesn’t need refrigeration.
Check out our You need a Food Establishment Permit to sell certain foods fact sheet.
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How to tell if a vendor is permitted
Ask to see a vendor’s permit.
It could look like one of these:
If the vendor doesn’t have a permit, call (253) 649-1697 or submit a complaint online.
We investigate all complaints. See the list of current unpermitted vendor closures.
Examples of unpermitted food vendors
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
- Unapproved source.
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
- Meat spindles are not allowed outdoors.
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
- Lack of refrigeration or temperature control.
- Lack of handwash facilities.
- Lack of employee restroom.
What we do when we find an unpermitted vendor
We can issue a permit on site if they meet requirements. If not, we ask them to leave the location and throw away unsafe food.
Permits and inspections ensure you get safe food
We inspect to see if vendors meet food safety permit requirements:
- Food is prepared in an approved kitchen.
- Permits require vendors use a commissary kitchen for any food prepared off site, they can’t use a home kitchen.
- Food is from approved sources and stored at safe temperatures.
- Adequate handwashing facilities.
- Access to a bathroom for employees.
Getting food from unpermitted vendors puts you at risk for foodborne illness, which can lead to lost wages, medical expenses, serious illness, even death. Protect yourself and your family’s health—buy food from permitted vendors!
Are you a vendor looking for permit info? Learn more about permits and applications.