SEATTLE — Public health officials shut down over a dozen unpermitted food vendors that were operating around Lumen Field earlier this week.
Unpermitted vendors are a growing issue, particularly around the stadiums in Seattle.
Thirteen unpermitted red carts around Lumen Field’s north parking lot were operating without permits, sufficient refrigeration or handwashing facilities. Three food stands along Occidental Avenue were also shut down, one of which had no running water available. In total, 17 food businesses were shuttered.
There has been a major increase in illegal food cart operations in recent years, especially around busy thoroughfares like Occidental and First Avenues. In 2023, King County shut down 27 carts. Last year, the county shut down 111; a 300% increase.
Earlier this year, King County announced it would be cracking down on illegal food vendors, citing both health risks and unfair competition for legal operators.
Farshid Varamin, who operates a permitted food cart, said unpermitted food vendors crowd out legal business owners.
“There are times we set up and there are 16 carts in front of us,” Varamin said. “Not a single one has any kind of hand-washing station; they’re prepping food on the sidewalks with bare hands.”
To help customers spot which businesses are legitimate, mobile food carts are now required to display a food safety rating sheet, like the ones seen at restaurants.
Those wanting to make sure a food vendor is permitted can look for three things: a public health permit sticker, a food safety rating sheet and a working handwashing station.
If any of those are missing, officials say it’s a big red flag.
King County asks that the public report illegal vendors.
트위터 공유: 불법 식품 판매업체 17곳 폐쇄! 시호크스 경기장 주변 안전 확보