BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Kern County Public Health released details on the outcome of a multi-agency operation that happened on Saturday, February 28, targeting food vendors operating without the proper health permits within Kern County. They said cease-and-desist orders and citations were issued, including one to a vendor who was cited for the 23rd time.

Kern County Public Health, along with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and Bakersfield Police Department, conducted a coordinated education and enforcement operation on February 28, 2026, targeting food vendors operating without the proper health permits within Kern County. This comes less than a week after an operation occurred on Casa Loma for unauthorized street vendors.

The education and enforcement effort focused on vendors identified through 88 community complaints involving 37 distinct locations, alleging unpermitted operations and potential food safety concerns, according to public health.

SEE ALSO: Bakersfield police cite unauthorized street vendors in joint agency crackdown on Casa Loma

“Due to the influx of food vendors operating without the proper permits and the sheer number of complaints about these vendors consistently received, the Department has a full-time team dedicated to providing education to vendors regarding permitting requirements, safe food handling standards, proper sanitation practices, and enforcement for repeat offenders.”

Public Health said most of the unpermitted food vendors encountered during the education and enforcement operation were first-time offenders.

One vendor had previously received education as well as cease and desists on multiple occasions, according to a release. The operation on February 28 marked the 23rd citation issued to this vendor since May 11, 2024. Due to repeated violations and failure to obtain the required health permit, further enforcement action was taken to impound the vendor’s equipment in accordance with the Kern County Ordinance Code.

In a release, it said this is the second instance in which the vendor’s equipment has been impounded.

The results from the operation were:

26 locations found with no unpermitted food vending activity at the time of the operation 11 cease and desist orders issued to food vendors operating without the proper health permits10 moderate -risk citations issued, each with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $1,935 each1 low -risk citation issued, with a monetary penalty in the amount of three times the associated permit fee for the operation, totaling $510Confiscated potentially hazardous food from 8 food vendors operating without the proper permitsImpounded equipment used in the sale of food from one vendor found to be operating without the proper permits.

“Health permits are not simply paperwork. They ensure that food served to our community meets essential safety standards,” said Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “Our goal is always education and voluntary compliance first. However, when there is ongoing disregard for Public Health requirements, we must take appropriate enforcement action to protect our residents.”

SEE ALSO: Following Casa Loma crackdown, Bakersfield Code Enforcement explains permit requirements

A valid health permit verifies that a food vendor has met requirements, including:

Proper food storage and temperature controlAccess to approved handwashing and sanitation facilitiesSafe food preparation and handling practicesRoutine inspection by Environmental Health professionals

Operating without a permit increases the risk of foodborne illness and undermines businesses that invest time and resources to comply with regulations, said in the release.

Public Health said they remain committed to working with vendors to achieve compliance and encourages all food operators to ensure they meet permitting and food safety requirements prior to operating.

For more information about food facility permitting requirements, food vendors can contact Kern County Public Health’s Environmental Health Division at 661-862-8740 or visit kernpublichealth.com.