Treats and Cheers: What to Look for When Purchasing Food for the Holidays

Did you know that food sold for pay is regulated in North Carolina to help ensure the public is consuming a safe product? 

Have you ever bought food from social media, from someone preparing meals out of their home, or even from the back of a car or on the side of the road?  If so, it is a good idea to check if the seller is permitted to ensure that the food is prepared under regulations, with food safety knowledge, and in sanitary conditions. 

Buncombe County Environmental Health works tirelessly to help ensure that its citizens are consuming safe food. When  purchasing food products, such as beautiful loaves of bread, decadent desserts, or full-course meals, you can find out if the seller has the proper permits by visiting the Buncombe County Health Inspections Search website.

The site will allow you to look at the past three inspections of any regulated facility in Buncombe County.  In some cases, the food vendor may hold a permit from the NC Department of Agriculture.  They can be contacted at 984-236-4820 for any inquiries.  

The most serious risk of buying food from an unpermitted vendor is foodborne illnesses. For most people who are healthy, food poisoning can be highly unpleasant but manageable. But people who are young, old, pregnant, or immunocompromised can develop severe, life-threatening complications from food that was cooked or handled improperly.

When a food vendor has a current permit from the Health Department or the Department of Agriculture, they have demonstrated their knowledge and ability to prepare and sell food that meets safety standards. Buying food from a properly permitted food service establishment to cater for your event is the safest choice for you and your guests while supporting locally permitted establishments.

The upcoming holidays tend to lead to more folks selling food without a permit, but no matter the time of year, it’s always a good idea to be aware of where your food is coming from and if it is a source that you trust.

What to look for when purchasing packaged food:

• Product Labeling – There should be a food label available for viewing before purchase where you can check the ingredients and nutritional information. Inconsistencies or misspelled words in the labeling could be a sign of other troubles. The packaging should also provide safe food storage information.
• Website and vendor credibility – Check for the seller’s history including what products they sell and read online reviews for any negative reviews about the safety of the product.
• Package Integrity – When you receive the product, check the package for leaks or swelling which may be signs that the food is contaminated.

If you are a food vendor looking to be permitted to sell food, contact our office at 828-250-5016 or reach out to ehrequest@buncombecounty.org for information on how to apply for a permit.