Health inspectors work to keep food safe at Milwaukee Night Market
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — With summer festival season in full swing, the Milwaukee Health Department is stepping up inspections to ensure food served at events like the Milwaukee Night Market is safe.
Officials say warmer weather makes this their busiest time of year, as inspectors visit food trucks and vendors to verify they are following proper food safety practices.
"We ensure they've got proper handwashing, proper coolers, that the foods that are going to be hot are hot, or foods that are cold are cold," said Carly Hegarty, director of Consumer Environmental Health for the Milwaukee Health Department. "Really all of those pieces."
Before vendors can serve customers at the Milwaukee Night Market, they must pass a health inspection and have an operating license, handwashing station, sanitizer and equipment to keep food at safe temperatures.
"If it's a food issue that can't be fixed, the food is being tossed," Hegarty said. "If it's something like a handwashing issue, we just say you have to pause what you're doing, please get that equipment and we'll be back in five minutes. Generally it's corrected and they're able to keep going."
Health officials also addressed concerns surrounding cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora.
"We can't check for Cyclospora itself, so we do work with state partners and federal partners to monitor the recalls that are happening," Hegarty said.
Despite concerns about foodborne illnesses, attendees said they still wanted to support local businesses while trusting vendors are taking the necessary precautions.
"It's still worrying, but at the same time I like to support local, so I would hope that they are putting in the work to make sure that everything is fresh," said Milwaukee Night Market attendee Kiara Xolo.