As Los Angeles prepares to host World Cup matches, Los Angeles County is urging fans to buy food only from permitted vendors. While the advisory was posted to social media Sunday night, residents say illegal food operations are everywhere, and that authorities are doing virtually nothing to stop them.
"Before you grab a bite, look for a permitted food vendor," LA Public Health wrote on X. The agency also wrote that buying from authorized vendors "helps keep you safe from foodborne illness." The post drew more than 85,000 views and was accompanied by a graphic noting that permitted food carts must display a valid certification sticker, a letter grade, and a current public health permit.
But many Angelenos agreed with Jilianne, who said, "This street vendor on Hollywood Boulevard [is] touching cash, touching food containers, and not refrigerating raw bacon."
She asked, "Do they have the required food handler certificate?"
They turned off comments so I’ll post this street vendor on Hollywood Boulevard touching cash, touching food containers, and not refrigerating raw bacon.
— Miss Jilianne (@MissJilianne) June 14, 2026
Hey @lapublichealth, do they have a permit? Do they have the required food handler certificate like you require brick and… https://t.co/OJYHT3oVBo pic.twitter.com/Higos8Xd6E
One commenter wrote, "This is everywhere in California. They are unsanitary, unhealthy and illegal. Why are they NOT shut down?"
According to the LA County Department of Public Health, common violations by unpermitted vendors include storing food at incorrect temperatures, handling food with unwashed hands, using grocery carts as makeshift stands, and placing outdoor equipment on sidewalks in ways that block pedestrian access.
Yet, as one user who identified themselves as a former business owner in the area said, "Not excusing this. (...) CA's health departments are a bureaucratic mess. (...) Super over-regulated. (...) got out as soon as I saw an exit."
"Never doing it again," they added.
They close down brick and mortar businesses but allow street vendors to operate without enforcing the same rules.
— Miss Jilianne (@MissJilianne) June 14, 2026
The CDC estimates that 48 million Americans experience foodborne illness annually. The leading causes of those illnesses are Salmonella, norovirus, and Campylobacter.
Residents can report unpermitted street food vendors by calling the Public Health Mobile Food Program at (626) 430-5500 or by filing a complaint online. To verify a vendor's permit status at a community event, residents can contact the Environmental Health Community Events Program at (626) 430-5320.
The Daily Dot was unable to verify the specific vendor incidents described in the social media responses.
