Eating street food isn’t just something to experience in Southeast Asia. We’re now seeing mobile food vendors all over North America. But how can you know that what you’re eating is really good for you?
Well now you can rest assured, because in most of North America, street vendors actually have submit to health inspections just like restaurants.
In Los Angeles, officials approved a letter-grading system so customers can see how the vendor scored.
New York City’s Green Cart Program has licensed fruit and vegetable vendors, with the strict rule that they can’t cut, peel or process the produce on the cart. So take a lesson from this and stick to buying only whole produce that you wash yourself.
The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority recently approved 17 street vendors on the condition that the food meet minimum nutritional standards. OK, this one might smack of a nanny law, but at least the healthier option is out there.
No matter what city you’re in, the vendor’s permit should be easily visible or available upon request. And although it’s not necessarily the law everywhere, anyone handling food should be wearing gloves.
For more information, visit our Culinary Travel section.
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