Images of meat that was destined for an unpermitted food vendor in Pierce County, but was left sitting outside, recently caused a stir on the internet. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department released photos from “obvious food-safety violations” found at a home that was being used as a kitchen space by multiple unpermitted roadside food vendors.
Health department officials found meat stored outside with flies, no refrigeration and next to bags of trash, while food was also cooking next to the trash. With the police, the health department rendered the food inedible and asked the operators to stop, which was the most they could do without a warrant. The city of Tacoma issued the renters a business license violation.
Like Pierce County, King County has seen an increase in unpermitted vendors…