SNHD: Avoid Purchasing Food From Unlicensed Street Sellers in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – Large athletic events, concerts, and festivals are becoming more common in Las Vegas, which means there are more opportunities to cash in on eager spectators.

At locations like Allegiant Stadium or the Strip, street vendors that sell food outside on the sidewalk are eager to make purchases, but the Southern Nevada Health District advises against purchasing from unpermitted vendors. The safety of the persons selling the food is also a worry in their warning, in addition to the safety of the food itself.

After the Raiders game, hot dog vendors opened for business. Hot dog vendors outside of games charge a fraction of what fans would spend for a burger inside the stadium, but the Southern Nevada Health District warns that they might not be allowed and that they can’t vouch for the safety of their food.

SNHD informing:

“Hot dog vendors are required to follow the same requirements that a restaurant would. This includes obtaining a health permit, following general handwashing and sanitation procedures, keeping food at proper temperatures, using approved equipment, and ensuring food is from an approved source.”

Eating food from unlicensed sellers might get you and your family ill, according to SNHD. They argue that buying food from unlicensed sellers might support human trafficking. According to SNHD, local law enforcement and the Health District discovered street sellers being sold into slavery by handlers or “coyotes” who brought them into the country illegally during normal inspections into unpermitted vendors. According to reports, the victims ranged in age from 13 years old to 88 years old.

“Our main mission is to stand up for immigrant families, low-income families,” Jose Rivera with Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, said.

Rivera claims that rather than enforcement efforts, people prefer to see education programs for illegal street sellers.

“Local authorities such as LVMPD, Southern Nevada Health District they do show up and they start confiscating stuff from these vendors. We understand the importance of having these vendors licensed while selling products but… regardless of licensed or non-licensed, they are human beings and they have the right to try and make ends meet and bring funds to their house,” Rivera contended.