SAN ANTONIO -- There are currently hundreds of food trucks out on the streets of San Antonio, and they are gaining in popularity. However, how safe is it eating from some of those trucks? KENS 5 has discovered dozens of them are unlicensed and operating illegally.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, or Metro Health, is the agency that conducts inspections at restaurants and food trucks.
"The mobile industry has changed over the last 4 or 5 years," said Stephen Barscewski, Metro Health Sanitarian Services Manager.
Unlike a stationary restaurant that gets unannounced visits by inspectors, owners of a food truck schedule their inspection once a year.
"There are vendors out there who are unlicensed, that take their chances," said Barscewski.
Barscewski said food trucks offer a variety of challenges compared to a stationary restaurant, like not having fixed water, electrical and plumbing sources. And because they can easily move, there's nothing forcing a food truck to get its license.
"I wouldn't be surprised if 10 percent, or more were unlicensed," said Barscewski. "There certainly is a risk of food borne illness in the unlicensed, because we're certainly not sure of their water source."
Food inspectors said there are red flags too look for. For example, Metro Health said it's not a good sign if the vendor is constantly on the move. Also, a licensed truck should always have a sticker displayed, letting customers know it's passed inspection. Eyewitness News randomly went to a handful of trucks one evening and all of them were in compliance.
When inspectors do come across a food truck breaking the rules, despite each citation carrying a fine of up to $2,000, there's no way to stop them from continuing to serve food.
"There's really nothing that would stop him from going out the following night, because we don't impound the vehicles," said Barscewski.
Every now and then Metro Health will do random sweeps looking for unlicensed food trucks in violation. Barscewski said during the last operation 65 trucks were checked and about 15 of those were cited and shut down. Metro Health is also looking at establishing a full-time mobile team that would spend it's time looking for unlicensed trucks.
