SKETCHY EATS: THE RISK IS REAL

BE SAFE - PROTECT YOUR FAMILIES’ HEALTH

The City of Milwaukee food inspection program works hard to protect the public from the unseen dangers associated with improper food handling and cross contamination. Preventing foodborne illness is our main objective. But we can’t do it alone! We want to increase public awareness about the dangers of purchasing and consuming food sold from unpermitted vendors and unlicensed sources.

WHAT IS UNPERMITTED VENDING/ UNLICENSED FOOD SOURCE?

Unpermitted food vendors are those vendors that do not obtain a permit from city and operate openly or covertly in a manner that compromises food safety. These operations are usually found outdoors, in vacant lots, on street corners or roaming door to door through neighborhoods. Sometimes the vending takes place on an outdoor table, open food preparation cart, shopping carts, ice chests, or out of the trunk of a vehicle.  

Unlicensed food source is when people prepare foods to sell from a private home sell. There are some occasions when food is permitted to be made at a private home such as the state licensing exemption for home baking and the state pickle bill. These products can only be sold directly from the maker to the consumer.  

The following health concerns are commonly associated with unpermitted vendors/ unlicensed food source:  Food stored directly on the ground                  Little or no protection from contaminants No electricity No safe water No handwashing No dish sinks No refrigeration or hot holding equipment Build-up of garbage and food debris on the ground Vermin and insects No method of tracing food back to its original source No food safety training for employees

There is an elevated risk for illness to be transmitted through food sold in this manner.

Some customers may view these food vendors as a convenient food purchase. They often do not understand the risks associated with eating food prepared by unpermitted vendors. Some may assume that the vendors actually are licensed and inspected. It is our hope that the public will gain a clearer view of the dangers associated with these unpermitted vending operations as well as understand what key components to look for to make sure the food they are buying is from a safe, permitted source that is routinely inspected.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

VENDORS: If you are considering purchasing food from a vendor there are some things you can look for that will tell you that that vendor has been approved by the health department and is being regularly inspected:

Enclosure – all food preparation must take place within an enclosure to prevent contamination by birds, dust, insects, or other airborne hazards.

Steamer – an enclosed steamer is capable at keeping food hot at 135º F or above.

Refrigerator – important for cold held food to make sure it is kept at 41º F or below.

Handwashing station with soap and paper towels – handwashing is one of the most important ways to prevent foodborne illness.

Identification signs – these signs let the customers know who they are buying food from and where it was made. If a customer feels that they got sick from a permitted vendor they can contact the health department and file a complaint. With the information we will know exactly how to find the vendor to abate the problem and investigate the complaint.

Permit decal – all permitted mobile food facilities will have this sticker posted on one side of the cart or truck. The permits must be renewed annually and the color of the decal changes every year to make it easier to see if the cart has been approved for the current year.

The following picture is an example of a permit decal.

HOW TO LEGALLY SELL  FOODS

Apply for a mobile permit with the health department. If you have any questions regarding opening a mobile food business please contact our main office.

SOURCE: If you are purchasing food at a store, from a caterer or from the internet, you can check the following:

Licesne: Caterers need to be licensed and in the City of Milwaukee will not be licensed from a private home. Ask for a copy of the license, food grade or address.

Labeling: Snacks and baked goods that are packged are to be fully labeled to include the name of the product, net weight, ingredients and producer information (name and address).

HOW DO I FILE A COMPLAINT

If you have seen an unpermitted vending operation and would like to assist us by reporting it please use our online complaint form. You may also file complaints on permitted facilities if you believe they are operating outside of their permit limitations.