Health officials in Maricopa County are tightening enforcement on unlicensed street vendors after a summer surge of foodborne illness complaints tied to taco stands across the Valley.
Between May and July, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) investigated more than 100 reports of suspected food-related sickness. Their inspections led to 55 food seizures, the closure of several unpermitted vendors, and the confiscation of over 7,000 pounds of meat deemed potentially unsafe.
The crackdown has focused on vendors selling tacos al pastor from makeshift stands on sidewalks and parking lots. The signature meat, traditionally cooked on a vertical spit called a trompo, was found in several locations operating without proper food permits. Officials say these setups often lack the refrigeration, sanitation, and oversight required to ensure food safety.
While many licensed food trucks and vendors continue to follow strict health standards, MCESD cautioned the public to be wary of temporary stands that do not display permits. “Most vendors in the Valley are committed to safe food practices,” the department noted, “but unregulated operations put both consumers and legitimate businesses at risk.”
The reminder comes as at least 17 people were reported ill earlier this year after eating tacos from unlicensed vendors. Residents who believe they became sick after dining at a restaurant or food cart are encouraged to call the county’s food safety hotline at 602-506-6616 or file a complaint through the MCESD website.
