Hawaii Vendor Food: If the Placard’s Green it’s Clean

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public to check for the official Green “Passed” Placard before purchasing Hawaii vendor food especially from online or roadside vendors that have never been inspected or licensed by the state health officials. Individuals selling prepared foods without a food safety permit put the public at risk of food-related illness and foodborne disease outbreaks. It is illegal to sell perishable foods without state approval and a permit from the Department of Health Food Safety Branch.

“We urge the public to always look for the official Green Placard or ask to see a valid Department of Health permit to verify that a food vendor has been inspected and approved to sell food safely,” said Peter Oshiro, Department of Health Food Safety Branch Chief.  “Contaminated food can potentially cause a widespread foodborne illness outbreak, and illegal food vendors pose a serious risk to everyone.”

The public is advised to avoid purchasing food from vendors operating without a permit.  Exemptions to state food safety regulations are homemade non-perishable baked goods candies, and snacks sold directly to individuals and not sold to food establishments, retailers and distributors. For example, an office bake sale does not require a food service permit.

To check if a food establishment has a valid state food safety permit or to review inspection reports, go to:

https://hi.healthinspections.us/hawaii/

Please contact the Food Safety Branch at (808) 586-8000 for questions or to report illegal food establishments. Inspections have been temporarily postponed during the state stay-at-home order, and will resume as the state reopens businesses.

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