Kern County Public Health & KCSO operation addresses unpermitted Bakersfield food vendors

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Kern County Public Health and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office issued 13 cease-and-desist orders, 13 citations, and food confiscations during a Bakersfield operation targeting unpermitted vendors after 48 community complaints.

Kern County Public Health, in collaboration with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an education and enforcement operation on September 12, 2026, to address food vendors operating without the required public health permits in Bakersfield.

Public Health said the operation was initiated in response to 48 community complaints involving unpermitted food vending and potential food safety risks. During the operation, inspectors focused on educating vendors about permitting requirements while taking enforcement action when necessary to help protect public health.

“Our goal is to help ensure that food served in Kern County is safe for everyone,” said Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “We work with vendors to provide education and guidance on food safety requirements and assist vendors with obtaining the proper health permits. When vendors continue to operate without the proper permits, we take the necessary enforcement actions to protect public health and safety of our community.”

The operation ended with:

13 cease and desist orders issued to food vendors operating without the proper health permits4 high-risk citations issued, each with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $3,015 each7 moderate risk citations issued, each with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $1,995 each2 low-risk citations issued, with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $525 eachConfiscated potentially hazardous food from 9 food vendors operating without the proper permits3 locations were found with no unpermitted food vending activity.

For more information about food facility permitting requirements or for assistance with getting permitted, call Public Health at 661-862-8740 or visit kernpublichealth.com.