The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

Local News

September 3, 2010

Flea market promises to stamp out unlicensed food

The owner of the Red Barn Flea Market said he is trying to prevent any food vendors from doing business there without a food license.

Troy Parker told the members of the Whitfield County Board of Health on Thursday that the regular vendors at the flea market on Old Grade Road near the bypass have the proper licenses but occasionally “some small vendors who are in and out” may not be aware they need licenses.

County environmental health inspectors found two vendors selling food without a license over the weekend. One was selling snow cones and the other pudding and Jello.

Anyone who prepares and sells edible products, with some exceptions, must have a permit from the local health department. That does not include prepackaged foods, baked goods or whole fruits and vegetables, which are regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Board members said the rules are aimed at protecting public health from food-borne illnesses.

Parker said the vendor found selling snow cones is no longer selling those items, and he said he has stepped up inspections of vendors to make sure they all have any required licenses. He said he is willing to do whatever the health department asks to make sure all food vendors are licensed.

Text Only
Local News