Support vendors that obtain permits and comply with the health and safety laws.

The City of Pittsburg works hard to ensure our community is safe, so you and your family can enjoy eating out without getting sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified five major risk factors that are most associated with food poisoning. These factors are: 

• Poor personal hygiene, including improper handwashing
• Improper holding and cooling temperatures 
• Inadequate cooking
• Contaminated equipment
• Food from unsafe sources 

After consuming unsafe food or drinks, it may take hours or days to develop symptoms and some people with weaker immune symptoms are more at risk. This includes children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

What Is Required

To sell any food or drinks in the City of Pittsburg, an operator is required to have a permit issued by Contra Costa Environmental Health Division. Permitted food vendors must meet the State Health and Safety Code requirements and are inspected routinely to ensure food is prepared in a safe manner. 

Be Aware

The following safety concerns are commonly associated with unpermitted food vending: 

• Food stored directly on the ground
• Food not protected from bugs and dirt
• No restrooms
• No means of keeping food hot or cold
• Food comes from unknown or unsafe sources
• No potable water or electricity
• No handwashing
• Employees have little or no food safety training 

Sometimes the vending takes place on an outdoor table, open food preparation cart, shopping carts, ice chests, or out of the trunk of a vehicle. These operations do not have a health permit and are not inspected or monitored in any way.

What To Look For

The Division of Environmental Health urges everyone to look for a posted permit from Contra Costa County or the sticker on mobile units before buying food from vendors. The permit or sticker indicates the vendor has been inspected and is aware of proper health and safety practices.