Monterey County DA cracks down on unpermitted food vendors

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) - Officials are stepping up enforcement against unpermitted food vendors across Monterey County, citing serious health and safety concerns.

Last week, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office partnered with environmental health inspectors to shut down several illegal food operations in the Salinas and Castroville areas. Investigators seized food and equipment found to be violating California Health and Safety Code regulations.

“We’ve noticed that unpermitted food vendors just keep popping up,” said Emily Hickok, Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Consumer Protection Unit. “It became clear that additional enforcement efforts were needed.”

The DA’s office shared a photo showing raw meat stored at unsafe temperatures, one of several alarming health violations discovered. Under California’s Unfair Competition Law, vendors operating without proper licenses can face civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation.

Marni Flagg, Assistant Bureau Chief for Monterey County Environmental Health, emphasized the risks of unlicensed food sales. “Often the food is kept out of safe temperature ranges, and there's no access to handwashing stations,” she said. “If it’s not set up properly, it can pose a real danger to public health.”

One visible sign of an unlicensed vendor is a standalone tent or canopy on a public street. According to Flagg, a permit is only issued to vendors participating in organized events like farmers' markets or fairs.

Among the vendors complying with local regulations is Enrique Lopez Cabezas, who sells tortillas near the corner of Kings and Alisal streets. Cabezas, who traveled from Los Baños, said the permitting process took time, but it was worth it. “We really like to work,” he said in Spanish. “The truth is that all the permits here take a little bit of time, but bless God, we are already working.”

Permits to sell food at approved events cost between $100 and $400 and can be obtained through the Monterey County Environmental Health Department’s website.

Officials urge anyone selling food in public spaces to follow the law while prioritizing safety, or risk steep penalties.