We all know the feeling. At first, you’re enjoying a meal with loved ones, and then a few short hours later you’re feeling nauseated, a fever is spiking and you’re making a beeline for the restroom.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness each year. And though most of those cases heal with no medical intervention, certain at-risk populations, such as those over age 65, can experience severe complications that lead to hospitalization.

With the weather heating up and farmers markets, fairs and festivals beginning to feature local food truck fare, it’s important to stay vigilant about safe food handling practices. Here are a few steps to ensure your latest food truck find won’t leave you with more than you bargained for.

Licenses

Just like a brick-and-mortar restaurant, mobile food trucks in Ohio have strict guidelines pertaining to food safety practices. To maintain their license, food trucks must submit to health department inspections. Be sure to check for valid certifications on display before you place your order.

Clean Service Area

Visible areas of a food truck provide a solid indication of how much time and attention the crew devotes to hygiene and cleanliness. Look for a clean exterior, a well-organized and clutter-free kitchen and a neat and tidy serving counter.

Protective Gear

With wide serving windows and limited space, it’s easy for potential customers to steal a glance into a food truck’s kitchen area. Take special note of how the employees handling food are dressed. Are they wearing hair nets, aprons or single-use gloves? If they are wearing gloves, are they changing them after handling raw meat or money? Safe food handling practices are key to avoiding cross-contamination and potential infection.

Handwashing

The tight space inside of a food truck and limited towing ability can create a challenge when it comes to accessing clean, potable water. But challenges don’t make hand cleanliness any less crucial to food safety! Keep an eye out for frequent handwashing with liquid soap and clean, disposable towels.

Hand Sanitizer

Depending on where a food truck is parked, handwashing opportunities may not be easily accessible for guests. If a food truck offers hand sanitizer to guests, it is a subtle but strong indication that the crew values cleanliness and hand hygiene.

If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

Though there are many visual indicators of how a food truck handles cleanliness and food safety during its day-to-day operations, if you have additional questions – don’t be afraid to ask! A food truck operator should be open to educating potential customers not just about the menu, but also about their commitment to food safety practices such as cleanliness and maintaining safe cooking temperatures.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
State of Ohio Uniform Safety Code