Phoenix (AZ Family) — Health officials in Maricopa and Pima counties are warning consumers to avoid a cluster of sidewalk stands that have infected at least 24 people in the state.
The vendors appear to have come to Arizona from California and do not have a license to sell prepared foods in any of the state’s largest counties.
Andy Linton, director of the Maricopa County Department of Environmental Services, said there are 20 to 30 such businesses across the Valley.
“Our biggest concern is that they are operating without following basic food safety requirements,” Linton said.
Maricopa County investigators executed at least one search warrant after 17 people reported feeling sick in July.
That number soon rose to 23, but Linton said many people who get sick after eating bad or contaminated food don’t report it to health authorities.
“When we get 17 complaints, that’s usually a high number, and we’re actually getting more people sick in the community,” Linton said.
Maricopa County officials issued a cease-and-desist order, but the vendors believe they are still selling food in the area.
Pima County health officials also saw them.
“We believe they are transporting food from the Phoenix area to the Tucson area without any refrigeration, meaning the meat is wrapped in what looks like garbage bags and left in the back of the truck. “There are people out there,” said Amanda Anderson, Pima County Consumer Health and Food Safety Manager.
Vendors appear to be using a white cargo van with California license plates to transport the pop-up food stand.
Food sales will take place under a canopy tent. pastor al’s meat outdoors.
“There are no hand-washing stations. There are no bathrooms. So these people could be contaminating food after using a restroom somewhere,” Anderson said.
Maricopa and Pima County health officials said the unlicensed businesses were driving white vans, setting up tents with canopies and not displaying health department placards indicating they were licensed to operate. There is.
If a business displays a county environmental services placard, it means the business is licensed and follows food safety best practices.
If you have questions or complaints about food vendors, call Maricopa County Environmental Services at (602) 506-6616 or Maricopa.gov/Enviro.
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