Sunday, April 21, 2019

[Kern County] Grand Jury suggests county take stricter measures on unpermitted streetside food vendors

Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Grand Jury is suggesting Kern County gets tougher on street vendors, including impounding their equipment if they don't follow the rules.
Mo Sophieh owns, a food truck that specializes in Greek Mediterranean food. He is one of 484 registered streetside food vendors in Kern County.
Sophie said it took him about three weeks to get his permit from Kern County Environmental Health.
Since last year-- Kern County has told at least 127 illegal food vendors to close shop, according to Michelle Corson with Kern County Public Health.
Now they grand jury is recommending Kern County Public Health to not just shut down their business, but also impound the carts if that's what it takes.
"I can see why they're imposing that now, only because they want to take care of the people," Sophieh said.
Health and safety are the driving concerns behind the recommendation, according to Corson.
"If you are doing an unsafe food vending business and you don't have foods at proper temperatures, you don't have a place to wash your hands -- there are a series of very serious practices that really can heighten the food safety issues when preparing this food," Corson said.
She said the Public Health Department is taking the Grand Jury recommendation seriously and they are developing a plan to follow through.
April 11, 2019
Bakersfield Now
By Jeanette Quezada


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