Page 4
August 21, 2024
Health Department Urges Public
to Avoid Unlicensed Food Carts
Unsafe Food
Practices at
Unlicensed Food
Carts Pose a Risk of
Food Borne Illness
As Portland heads into one
of the busiest event weekends
of the summer, the Multnomah
County Health Department urg-
es the public to purchase food
only from licensed food carts
and restaurants.
Unlicensed vendors operate
without inspections or permits,
raising serious public health and
safety concerns. County Health
Department inspectors cannot
verify how food is stored and
prepared. These carts lack proper
food handling equipment, hand
washing facilities, clean water
or refrigeration. They also pose
a fire risk due to their fuel sourc-
es. People who unknowingly
consume food from unlicensed
vendors can potentially contract
food borne illness.
“We’re asking people this
weekend to support your local
photo of the unlicensed food carts, a food vendor license and a copy of the sticker that gets placed
on an unlicensed food cart.
licensed food vendors,” said In-
terim Environmental Health Di-
rector Jeff Martin. “That’s how
we protect our thriving food cart
industry and public health in
Portland. Our focus is helping
small businesses succeed.”
Since the summer of 2023, the
Health Department has responded
to a rise in unlicensed, makeshift
red push carts across the city that
sell hot dogs near event venues and
bars, often operating on sidewalks
or in the middle of closed roads.
Many of the vendors of these carts
are known to be transported to
Portland from other areas.
“We can’t have people com-
ing from out of town, disregard-
ing County rules, and selling un-
safe food that negatively impacts
public health and the livelihoods
of licensed food businesses,”
Martin said.
Since last summer, the
Health Department shut down
four vans with out-of-state
license plates dropping off
vendors and their carts near
Portland venues. And while
six carts have been labeled as
unlicensed, vendors have cov-
ered the Health Department’s
“Unlicensed” sticker, mislead-
ing customers and continuing
to sell food.
The Health Department al-
ways takes an education-first ap-
proach and has made numerous
attempts to engage with these
cart operators. Specifically, in-
spectors have talked to operators
about the business permits they
are required to have and how
to obtain them. The County has
provided translated materials
and brought in inspectors who
speak the primary languages of
the vendors. Health jurisdictions
in Washington and California
have also reported near-identical
issues with similar unlicensed
hot dog vending operations.
“There is a legal way to oper-
ate a mobile hot dog stand: Ob-
tain a temporary license from the
Health Department,” said Mar-
tin. “We’ve tried working with
these unlicensed vendors, but
they have been unwilling to fol-
low our guidance, which harms
both licensed food vendors and
the public.”
Licensed mobile food vendors
will always have their Coun-
ty-approved health permit dis-
played. If you do not see one, do
not hesitate to ask the vendor.
Health care resources for you
Get help with appointments, getting coverage, mobile showers and more
AUGUST 22
Mobile Showers
12-2 p.m.
247 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
1:30-3:30 p.m.
18 NE 11th Ave, Portland
AUGUST 23
IRCO
SEPTEMBER 5
Mobile Showers
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10301 NE Glisan St, Portland
AUGUST 27
Blanchet House
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
310 NW Glisan St, Portland
Family Promise of Tualatin Valley
1-3 p.m.
11460 SW Pacific Hwy, Portland
Union Gospel Mission
2-3 p.m.
3 NW 3rd Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 2
Doreen’s Place (for residents only)
9-11 a.m.
610 NW Broadway St, Portland
Mobile Showers
10-11:30 a.m.
4244 SE 91st Ave, Portland
careoregon.org/connect-to-care
SEPTEMBER 3
Jean’s Place (for residents only)
12-2 p.m.
247 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 10
Blanchet House
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
310 NW Glisan St, Portland
Union Gospel Mission
2-3 p.m.
3 NW 3rd Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 11
Rosewood Initiative
12-3 p.m.
14127 SE Stark St, Portland
SEPTEMBER 16
Doreen’s Place (for residents only)
Mobile Showers
10-11:30 a.m.
4244 SE 91st Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 17
P:ear (for youth only)
9-11 a.m.
338 NW 6th Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 19
Mobile Showers
12-2 p.m.
247 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
SEPTEMBER 24
Blanchet House
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
310 NW Glisan St, Portland
Family Promise of Tualatin Valley
1-3 p.m.
11460 SW Pacific Hwy, Portland
Union Gospel Mission
2-3 p.m.
3 NW 3rd Ave, Portland
9-11 a.m.
610 NW Broadway St, Portland
connect to care