Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni is warning the public about a network of unpermitted roadside food stands selling and distributing unrefrigerated, potentially unsafe food.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the food stands are operated by individuals based in Merced County and are distributing the food across the Central Coast, including in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties.
The stands, often marked by blue and red tents and equipped with grills and vertical rotisseries, reportedly receive pre-cooked and raw food transported without refrigeration from Merced, which is more than two hours away, prosecutors noted.
Health officials warn the lack of temperature control creates ideal conditions for harmful bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria.
Investigations in Merced have previously uncovered unsanitary food preparation sites in warehouses and garages, a press release from Friday noted.
Local enforcement in Monterey County has also seized unsafe food and equipment from unpermitted stands in multiple areas, including Pajaro, Royal Oaks, Castroville, North Salinas, Fort Ord, Soledad, and Greenfield.
Most recently, food and equipment were impounded from locations near Highway 68 and Del Rey Oaks and at 348 San Juan Grade Road in Salinas on Thursday, the District Attorney’s Office said.
The illicit operation is believed to generate about $100,000 in cash each month for the ringleaders, though the workers at the stands may not be paid minimum wage, prosecutors said. Officials say these unlicensed vendors undermine lawful restaurants and food trucks that follow health regulations and inspections.
The District Attorney emphasized that investigators are focused on dismantling the organization behind the operation; not prosecuting individual stand workers.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid supporting these illegal vendors as the investigation continues.Â