Public <a href="https://healthylife7.com/how-ai-chatbots-can-affect-teen-mental-health/” title=”How AI Chatbots Can Affect Teen Mental Health”>Health cracks down on unpermitted food vendors, issues orders and citations
Tue, July 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
FILE: Kern County Public Health. KBAK/KBFX photo
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) —Kern County Public Health said that in collaboration with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, they conducted an education and enforcement operation on July 11 to address food vendors operating without the required public health permits in the areas of Lamont, Arvin, Mettler, and Fraizer Park
Public health said the operation began in response to 61 community complaints “involving where unpermitted food vending and potential food safety risks had been reported.”
During the operation, inspectors focused on educating vendors about permitting requirements while taking enforcement action when necessary
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone in Kern County has access to food that is prepared, handled and served safely,” said Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “Education is always our first priority, but when vendors continue to operate without the required permits, enforcement becomes necessary to protect the health of our community and support vendors who are following food safety regulations.”
The operation ended with:
- 5 cease and desist orders issued to food vendors operating without the proper health permits
- 3 moderate risk citations issued, each with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $1,995 each
- 1 low-risk citation issued, with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $525 each
- Confiscated potentially hazardous food from 3 food vendors operating without the proper permits
- 14 locations found with no unpermitted food vending activity at the time of the operation.
Public health said the operation also found that equipment used in the sale of food was impounded from two vendors operating at the intersection of southwest of Comanche Drive and Bear Mountain Boulevard in Arvin
The vendors were identified as Quetza Tacos, a vendor with six cease and desist orders previously issued, and the Best Tacos, a vendor with 8 cease and desist orders previously issued
For more information about food facility permitting requirements or for assistance with getting permitted, contact Kern County Public Health at 661-862-8740 or visit kernpublichealth.com
