Maricopa County has put the hammer down on unsanctioned street food vendors after intercepting over 7,000 pounds of what has been labeled as unsafe meat. Following a sweep that lasted from May to July, the county's Environmental Services Department acted on more than 100 customer complaints—patrons reported falling ill after eating tacos from pop-up stands, as reported by Fox 10 Phoenix.
In the crackdown, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) handled 55 cases of food confiscation, with illicit food vendors setting up shop close to sidewalks becoming their primary targets. These vendors were often hawking “tacos al pastor” from unpermitted setups that include a vertical rotisserie or “trompo,” an essential element that has now become a red flag for potential health hazards. AZFamily details that these types of street foods, if not monitored and approved, can lead to sickness among consumers.
Andy Linton, the Environmental Services director for the county, asserted the difficulty in reining in these mobile food mishaps. "If someone has a permit that they're displaying, you can be assured that they have the proper equipment for handwashing, for keeping foods at the proper temperature, and that they have the required training to be able to reduce that risk of foodborne illness to their customers," Linton told Fox 10 Phoenix, emphasizing the serious health risks that come with unlicensed food handling.
Residents and visitors in Maricopa County are encouraged to check for vendor permits when buying street food and to report any concerns or food-related illnesses to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD). Information on filing a complaint or applying for a permit is available on the county’s environmental website or by calling MCESD at 602-506-6616, AZFamily notes.
