Food Truck Checks: El Paso County Health Department Speeds Up Inspections

The El Paso County Health Department has been diligently working to catch up on food truck inspections. A recent report revealed that nearly half of the food trucks were significantly behind on their checks. In just one month, the department reduced the backlog from 150 to 40.

Around-the-Clock Efforts

The health department has been operating around the clock, including weekends, to complete these inspections. Sammi Jo Lawson, a spokesperson for the department, stated that their goal is to inspect all facilities, including mobile units, while they are operational.

What Does "Operational" Mean?

According to Lawson, food trucks don't need to be serving customers at the time of inspection. They just need to be running, with hot and cold water available. This approach allows inspectors to check the trucks even when they're not in service.

Timing and Challenges

The department chose to tackle this backlog after the peak season, which might explain why some food trucks weren't serving customers during inspections. This timing makes it harder to spot certain violations, such as improper food handling or lack of handwashing.

Why the Delay?

Lawson explained that the department identified the problem during their annual review at the end of the summer, which coincided with a records request for this information. The department admits they need to improve their planning to ensure timely inspections.

Prioritizing Inspections

The El Paso County Department of Public Health also prioritizes inspecting food establishments with complaints or a history of non-compliance. This approach helps them focus their resources on areas that need the most attention.

Progress and Future Goals

While the department has made significant progress, there's still work to be done. The remaining backlog of 40 food trucks needs to be inspected, and the department must ensure that this situation doesn't happen again.