WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County health officials are urging residents to be cautious when consuming local food.

Health and Community Services says that they’ve received recent complaints about various unpermitted food vendors operating around the county.

Those include vendors without permits, proper hygiene stations, or refrigeration.

Consuming food from unpermitted stalls can lead to an increased risk of illness, such as E.coli and norovirus.

Health officials are urging members of the public to look for a handful of warning signs before they support a local vendor – starting with a valid permit. Any licensed vendor should be able to present their permit to anyone who asks to see it.

Vendors can only operate out of food trucks or trailers, a pushcart if they’re selling hot dogs or coffee, or under a tent at certain community events like a farmer’s market.

Anyone who suspects a food seller is operating illegally is asked to contact the Whatcom County Food Safety team.