Celebrating the World Cup? Support permitted food vendors!

Dr. Herbie Duber is the health officer for Kitsap Public Health District. In addition to his work in public health, Dr. Duber serves as a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington and is an attending physician at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

As we prepare to welcome the world to Western Washington for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, your public health district is working hard to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and travelers alike. This is a unique opportunity to share this incredible place we call home with new visitors, and I am excited to watch some fantastic soccer with friends, family and food!

As you think about doing the same, I want to take a moment to discuss an issue that has become increasingly urgent in the public health community: unpermitted food vendors. This may sound like a minor issue compared to public health issues like hantavirus, Ebola, or fentanyl that dominate the headlines. But the reality is that the simple choice of where we buy our food can have a far bigger impact than we might think.

Unpermitted food vendor health risks

For starters, there are real health risks in eating food from unpermitted food vendors. Food vendors licensed by the Health District with a permit commit to following thorough safety standards.  Our incredible team of inspectors works tirelessly to ensure that these standards are maintained at brick-and-mortar restaurants and pop-up food stands alike.  They check food holding and preparation temperatures, monitor food handling practices and sanitation, and educate businesses to make sure that the food you order is prepared in a safe and sanitary environment. 

What safety practices do unpermitted food vendors follow? Your guess is as good as ours. Unpermitted vendors aren’t inspected and often cut corners on critical food safety practices that prevent bacteria, viruses, and parasites from spreading in our food. Food poisoning (a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses caused by food) can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, and in severe cases, can result in hospitalization or worse— not exactly how you want to spend your World Cup festivities.

Beyond the primary risk of foodborne illness, there are other important issues that don’t often make the headlines. While some unpermitted vendors might be run by well-intentioned community members, unpermitted food carts and trucks are increasingly being tied to organized crime and human trafficking networks. These organizations often operate across counties - sometimes across state lines - forcing workers to log many hours late at night in poor working conditions for less than minimum wage.  Investigations across the West Coast have revealed concerning, and often forced, working conditions.  

Supporting permitted vendors

Finally, we must remember that many of our friends, neighbors and community members are operating their food establishments in the right way, following safety standards, paying for permits, and protecting their workers. They should be rewarded with our patronage rather than being forced to compete with unpermitted, unsafe, and sometimes criminal food carts.

How to tell if a vendor is permitted

How can you tell if a vendor is permitted? Every licensed food business in Kitsap County is required to post a permit or sign issued by Kitsap Public Health District. For permanent food establishments like restaurants, delis, and coffee shops, this includes posting a Food Safety Inspection sign with an emoji representing their most recent inspection scores. Temporary food stands must post their Health District permit, which is issued after our inspectors have reviewed their setup and safety procedures. If you don’t see a permit, you can ask for it.

Take a pause

So, when you head down to the FIFA Fan Zone in Bremerton, travel across the water to Seattle for a game, or simply head out for lunch or a late-night snack, please pause and think about the vendor you’re about to buy from. Let’s support those who have our safety in mind, treat their workers with dignity and respect, and do things the right way.

Enjoy the World Cup!