CHARLOTTE, NC – Mecklenburg County Public Health says it has received numerous complaints about vendors selling food without a permit in Uptown and South End between 8 pm and 2 am.
Health officials say the unpermitted vendors can be dangerous because they are not inspected to ensure proper food handling and other important hygiene standards like proper handwashing, safe cooking and storage temperatures, and sanitary equipment.
“We encourage all residents to look for the food safety scorecard before ordering to ensure that the establishment has been inspected and minimum food safety standards are met,” said Director of Environmental Health Chrystal Swinger. “Unpermitted food vendors pose a serious health risk of foodborne illness, which can be severe and even fatal. Our team is working to ensure these individuals stop selling food in these often-hazardous conditions, but we need residents to help us by not patronizing illegal food vendors.”
Permitted food vendors must have a county-issued food safety scorecard displayed.
People can report food vendors operating without a permit by calling 311.
