Staying Legal: How Food Truck Owners Follow Food Safety and Health Code

Rachel Perkins — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, food trucks are having a huge moment. They make great, affordable food, and it’s easy to social distance when you’re outside! But you may be wondering how they keep themselves clean and follow the health code.

Just like restaurant owners, food truck owners have to maintain standards. There are several food truck laws pertaining to their cleanliness and maintenance, and food trucks are regularly checked by a health inspector, just like restaurants.

Ease your mind by reading on to find out what you can expect as a food truck owner.

State-Specific Health Code

Much of what health inspectors check for in a food truck varies from state to state. However, there are a few things that are required in most, if not every, state. These include:

An up-to-date food handling license
Visibly clean surface (a no-brainer!)
No food in the “danger zone” temperature range
Records of food purchases
Alcohol license (if applicable)
All food products are more than six inches off the ground

These are general guidelines, and some states are more strict than others. However, these are all signs that a food truck is being run in a compliant and sanitary way.

Regular Inspections

Health inspectors generally arrive once or twice a year. They are impartial, and work for the state government. Therefore, a health inspector cannot be bought or bribed, and you can trust they’re giving an honest rating.

Health inspectors also perform inspections if a business has received a significant number of complaints. If a business performs badly on an inspection, they’ll also run a follow-up to make sure the mistakes were mended. These inspections are often random and unscheduled.

Food Manager Certification

Again, the requirements vary from state to state, but nearly every state requires a food service license. Foodservice licenses and food manager certifications just verify that you are allowed to serve food. It is the bare minimum of starting a food-centered business.

This license is often accompanied by a ServSafe certification, which shows you know the proper food handling methods and won’t give your customers salmonella or food poisoning. Some states also have separate food truck permits that are different from the permits required to run a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Other Permits and Licenses

In addition to food handling certifications, food truck operators must have a business license and driver’s license. The food truck must also be registered as a commercial vehicle and needs commercial license plates. The process of acquiring these varies from state to state, but the requirement is ubiquitous across the nation.

Ease Your Mind When Serving from a Truck

Though they are lower-tech and more trendy than other restaurants, food trucks must meet a high standard. Any food truck owner worth their salt will know their state’s health code front and back. You want your customers to rest assured that the food you’re serving is safe and compliant.

Starting your first food truck? We have plenty of advice for both fledgling and experienced food truck owners on our blog. Venture confidently into the world of mobile food service with us!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

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The post Staying Legal: How Food Truck Owners Follow Food Safety and Health Code appeared first on Custom Concessions.

7 Food Truck Regulations You Need to Know About

Rachel Perkins — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Photo by Guillaume Gryn_DVS on Unsplash

Are you tired of working your tail off in a hot kitchen, only to be paid a pittance for your hours? Are you exhausted with your demanding boss, and wishing that you could do what you love at work—cooking—but do it for yourself instead of for your manager?

If so, then it sounds like you’re the perfect candidate to start taking command of your career and open a food truck that you can run on your own. Before you do so, however, you need to be aware of these seven food truck regulations so that your newly-opened business does not run afoul of the law.

1. Get a Vendor License

The first thing that you’ll need to do is get a vendor license from your state. This is a legal certificate that gives you the right to own and operate a restaurant entity. The process for applying for a food truck license will be different depending on your state.

2. Tax ID

The next basic regulation your business will need is a tax ID. This identification number is what allows you to collect sales tax from your customers. The government always wants its slice of the pie, so make sure that all of the transactions are subject to local sales taxes.

3. Commercial Driver’s License

Depending on the weight of the food truck that you operate, you may need to get a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, to drive it. If you choose the right vehicle for your food truck, however, you’ll be lucky enough to avoid this step.

Practicing for and getting your CDL is no joke. Most state DMVs take the road test for a commercial vehicle very seriously, and the bar is set pretty high.

4. Mobile Food Vendor Permit

You’ll need to apply for your state’s mobile food vendor permit. For many states, the number in circulation at one time may be limited. Thus, you must apply for this permit as soon as possible to ensure that you get to the top of the pile if there’s a waiting list.

5. Food Manager Certificate

Next, some state or local ordinances require that you receive a food manager certificate. This qualifies your business to handle, store, cook, and sell food. You’ll need to pass a basic inspection to prove that your food operations are healthy and safe.

6. Food Purchasing Protocols

You should know that in some states, food is not allowed to be cooked in a vehicle. That means food trucks can’t prepare the food inside the truck—the food needs to be prepared on something that isn’t a mobile conveyance and can then be sold from the truck.

If that’s the case, you’ll have to prove food purchasing and preparation processes when you apply for your mobile vendor permit.

7. Parking Permit

Last but not least, remember that you can’t forget one of the most basic regulations of all: parking! The last thing you want is for your food truck to be booted, towed, or otherwise immobilized. Ensure that you are permitted to park and have the right authorization wherever you set up shop.

Food Truck Regulations You Need to Know

There you have it! Now that you know these food truck regulations, you’re all ready to start your business and keep it on the right side of the law.

If you’re ready to look at a vehicle for your food truck operations, contact us for a free quote!