LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – FOX5 obtained exclusive photos and images showing unsanitary and dirty storage and preparation of food and raw meat, all taken during investigations of illegal street vendors across Las Vegas.
Images come from the Southern Nevada Health District and Clark County officials.
Photos show racks of cooked meat on dirty tables and floors, carts of raw meat in a filthy storage area with liquid leaking onto tiles, haphazard transport of cooking equipment with cross-contamination of trash and leftovers, and raw meat stored at dangerous temperatures.
Starting Tuesday, a new Clark County ordinance allowed street vendors to apply for licenses. New regulations also starting Tuesday mandate distances from schools and parks and a ban on late-night sales.
On Tuesday alone, according to Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, 1,200 pounds of meat was seized from eight large tents across Clark County. Officials said six “notices of violation” were issued, but no fines were given.
Kirkpatrick is the Chair of the board of the Southern Nevada Health District and shared insight into photos of health code violations with FOX5.
“As the chair of the Health District, it’s my responsibility to ensure that we have a good public health process so that people are getting safe foods,” Kirkpatrick said. “When you go into a brick and mortar, you know that they have an A grade or B grade. When you go into a food truck, you know that it’s been inspected by the Health District and there’s rules. You should just always know what food that you’re digesting because it can truly make you ill if it’s not properly stored,” she said.
Kirkpatrick tells FOX5, as she stated during the last board meeting, there is a large concern over the recent influx of street food vendors from California: many have large outdoor setups and often sell meat on sticks and plates of tacos.
“Unfortunately, it’s gotten way bigger than the small mom and pops that the state was initially trying to help. We’re not opposed to helping the small guys, but that’s not what we have going on today,” she said.
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