The number of unpermitted street food vendors in Santa Barbara County has increased in recent years, and a new Grand Jury report contends many of them are operating unsafely.
The jurors are calling for more enforcement action.
The Santa Barbara County Grand Jury took field trips to see the problem firsthand.
Jurors say they found that 6 of the 14 food trucks they encountered didn’t have health inspection permits, and none of the 11 food carts had permits. They also found improperly stored meat products and unrefrigerated fruit products.
However, changes in state law have made enforcement more difficult, with citations being the primary means of stopping violations.
The report says that aside from the safety concerns, unlicensed vendors hurt licensed businesses and sometimes create pollution by dumping grease and other wastes. It also notes that the county’s enforcement efforts are understaffed, and more people are needed. It says Sheriff’s deputies should accompany inspectors to ensure their safety.
It also calls for a tipline for the public to report unlicensed vendors. The report pointed to Ventura County and its enforcement program, which appears to have decreased the county's illegal street vendor problem.
