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Sacramento County’s Environmental Management Department (EMD), in coordination with partner agencies, continues outreach and enforcement efforts aimed at improving food safety and helping sidewalk food vendors operate legally and safely throughout the county.
County staff regularly conduct inspections in areas with known or reported unpermitted food vending activity. These visits focus first on education and collaboration, providing vendors with information about permitting requirements, food safety standards and available business resources. Recent enforcement operations have included support from the Code Enforcement Division and the Department of Finance.
“People often think inspections are about closures, but our real focus is education, collaboration and helping vendors operate safely while protecting public health,” said Erica Uriarte, Environmental Health Supervisor.
“Sacramento County Code Enforcement supports enforcement of food vendor regulations through proactive education and outreach,” said Mike Sanchez, Chief of Code Enforcement. “Our mission is to protect the health and safety of residents in Unincorporated Sacramento County by collaborating with partner agencies to conduct routine inspections and promote compliance with applicable regulations.”
During recent inspections, county staff observed several examples of unsafe food handling and operating conditions that may pose a risk to public health. Inspectors documented issues such as:
- Raw meat stored on the ground in trash bags
- Foods requiring refrigeration being held at unsafe temperatures
- Lack of handwashing facilities
- Unsafe cooking or food storage equipment
When food is not prepared, stored or served following approved safety standards, there is an increased risk of foodborne illness and contamination.
“Providing education and helping vendors understand how to legally operate is our primary goal,” said Erica Uriarte, Environmental Health Supervisor. “We want vendors to succeed while protecting public health and ensuring food sold in our communities is handled safely.”
All Sacramento County permitted vendors are inspected for food safety compliance and are required to display color-coded placards showing their inspection status.
At mobile food vendors, consumers are encouraged to look for a valid Sacramento County mobile food sticker displayed on the operation
At local restaurants, consumers are encouraged to look for:
- Green Placard – Pass
- Yellow Placard – Conditional Pass
- Red Placard – Closed
Purchasing food from permitted vendors helps ensure the food has been inspected and handled under approved food safety standards.
Potential health and safety concerns associated with unpermitted food vending may include:
- Food from unapproved sources
- Food stored directly on the ground
- No restroom access
- Lack of refrigeration to keep food cold
- Vermin and insects
- No potable water
- No handwashing facilities on-site
- No food safety training for food handlers
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unsafe cooking equipment
Sacramento County’s efforts are centered on reducing barriers to compliance and increasing awareness among vendors and consumers alike. The county also provides multilingual outreach and education resources to help vendors navigate the permitting process.
Residents can learn more about permitted food vendors and food safety resources by visiting the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department’s Unpermitted Food Vendor webpage.