PHOENIX (AZFamily) – Maricopa County officials say more than a dozen recent illness reports are linked to unlicensed street food vendors.
In recent weeks, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) has received reports of 17 people suffering from diarrhea and vomiting after eating food from a specific group of unauthorized street vendors.
District officials contacted the retailers concerned about the allegations and, during inspections, found violations of food regulations. The authority is now planning further action.
“Due to the operators’ lack of cooperation in addressing and resolving this matter, the department has initiated legal action against the unauthorized food stalls,” MCESD said in an emailed press release.
While the agency has not released the names of the vendors, county officials say they typically hang out near sidewalks and in parking lots selling “tacos al pastor.”
The meat is sliced directly into a taco on a vertical rotating spit called a “trompo.” According to MCESD, trompos set up outdoors with makeshift equipment such as tents/canopies and folding tables are likely not permitted and can cause illness.
“It is important to note that the businesses affected by these illness reports should not be confused with the vast majority of street food vendors, including taco stands, that practice safe food practices,” MCESD said.
County officials urge residents to shop only at retailers that have a permit issued by the MCESD, which requires them to follow safety measures such as maintaining proper food temperatures and purchasing food from approved sources to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Arizona’s family has contacted the county for more information about the street vendors in question.
Anyone with concerns about a food establishment or street vendor, including reporting an illness, is asked to contact MCESD at (602) 506-6616 or visit Maricopa.gov/Enviro.
MCESD has included pictures below to provide examples of unapproved setups and food violations as well as proper approval.
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