How are food trucks inspected in Modesto? Where are the reports found? Bee Curious answers

Modesto Bee - 3/15/2024

Mar. 15—Amid the sizzling aromas of street food delights, mobile food trucks in Stanislaus County are subject to health and safety inspections just like any brick-and-mortar food facility.

Have you ever wondered where you can find inspection results?

A reader asked Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions — from the mundane to the top of mind — about the Modesto region: How are mobile food trucks inspected and where can those reports be accessed?

Here's what we found:

How are food trucks inspected in Stanislaus County?

"Local environmental health departments are responsible for inspecting food trucks," the California Department of Public Health wrote in a statement to The Modesto Bee.

In Stanislaus County, the Food Safety Program with the Division of Environmental Resources enforces the California Retail Food Code and conducts inspections for retail food facilities, cottage food operations, mobile food facilities, temporary food facilities and farmers markets.

For inspections of mobile food trucks, Robert Kostlivy, a director with the department, said the "process is similar but not the same" as with typical food facilities.

"The main difference between a mobile food facility inspection is the time of day that they are inspected," he wrote in an email to The Modesto Bee.

A permanent food facility is inspected during its regular business hours, Kostlivy said, but mobile food trucks are inspected at the department's office.

"The (mobile food facility) makes an appointment with our department and they pull into an inspection bay for their annual inspection," he wrote. "Staff ensures that (it) meets the requirements found in the California Retail Food Code."

How often are food trucks inspected?

Unless a complaint is filed by the community, Kostlivy said food trucks are inspected once a year.

What are the standards for food truck inspections?

According to Chapter 10 of the California Retail Food Code, mobile food facilities must abide by the following requirements:

Operation

Mobile food trucks must operate in an approved permit, unit and location for the sanitation of food storage and employee cleanliness.

Cleaning and servicing

Mobile food facilities must be cleaned daily and report to an approved facility daily. Permanent facilities with mobile food units must store food safely and report the units daily for cleaning and storage.

Owner identification

The food truck must display its name at least 3 inches in size. The operator's name, city, state, ZIP code and permit holder must be at least one inch in size and visible for customers. Required identification must also be visible on two sides of the unit.

Equipment and construction requirements

Equipment must have smooth and cleanable surfaces for easy cleaning, preventing vermin and allowing maintenance. Floors, walls and ceilings should be smooth and easy to clean. Cooking areas must have impenetrable and safe flooring extending at least five feet around them. Refrigeration is required for potentially hazardous foods.

Food-handling requirements

Employee entrance doors must be self-closing and kept shut when not in use. Food trucks, equipment and utensils must be kept clean, in good condition and protected from vermin and other contaminants.

During transport, storage and operation, food and utensils must be protected, the law states.

Food for sale must be handled only within the food truck, except for restocking approved by the enforcement agency.

Food preparation counter space should be provided near cooking equipment.

Sanitation

Sinks must be easily accessible and should be separated from warewashing sinks by a metal splashguard unless they're spaced apart by at least 24 inches, the law says.

If located outside the unit, warewashing sinks must have overhead protection from contaminants like bird droppings, dust and rain.

Bathroom facilities

A mobile food facility must operate within 200 feet of an approved toilet and handwashing facility to ensure restroom access for employees. Local authorities can impose further safety regulations, the law states.

Additional storage

Spare tires, automotive equipment and tools must not be stored in food preparation or storage areas. Poisonous substances also should be stored separately.

During the business' off-hours, food and utensils must be stored in approved facilities to prevent contamination and access to vermin, the law states.

Safety

A first-aid kit must be in an enclosed case conveniently located for employees.

Mobile food facilities operating at multiple locations in one day must ensure utensils are secured, equipment has secure lids, glass liquid level sight gauges have metal protective devices and light bulbs are covered.

Liquefied petroleum equipment must meet fire authority standards, and fire extinguishers must be available to combat grease fires.

Additional exits must be provided, labeled and easily operable for employees.

Gas-fired appliances must be insulated to prevent excessive heat buildup.

Outdoor areas

The exterior of a mobile food facility and its surrounding areas must be kept clean and hygienic for food service operations.

Where can food truck inspection reports be accessed?

"Inspection reports are required to be housed in two locations," Kostlivy said.

Each food facility is required to have the most recent inspection report at its facility and available upon customer request, he said. The department also keeps hard copies of the inspection reports at its office, which also are available upon request.

"Even though there are no official requirements to post inspections online, our department has been doing so for several years," Kostlivy wrote. Inspection reports done by the department can be accessed on Stanislaus County's website.

The county recently made changes to its reporting system after a Bee investigation highlighted persistent public access issues.

While the department is "in the process of revamping the entire online inspection report portal to provide an easier customer interface," he said the department hopes to have the website finalized by the end of the year. "So we respectfully request that our public be mindful of our current improvement efforts and if they have any challenges finding information in our online portal, to either request the report directly from the food facility or our office," Kostlivy wrote.

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