Denver officials defend use of bleach on unlicensed taco vendor’s food

Denver vitality leaders defended an inspector s decision to pour bleach into an unlicensed taco vendor s food over the weekend after a video of the occurrence spread on social media Two Denver wellbeing inspectors approached a table operated by Tacos Tacolorado near the intersection of Evans Avenue and Colorado Boulevard on Saturday evening Wellbeing personnel had previously cited the vendor and thrown out its food for failing to follow various food safety rules according to inspection reports reviewed by The Denver Post When inspectors approached Saturday and appealed that the food be destroyed the vendor placed selected food into the back of a truck prompting one physical condition inspector to pour bleach into the remaining food according to Emily Williams spokeswoman for the Denver Department of Populace Vitality and Surroundings The case was caught on video showing the inspector dumping the chemical into plastic containers of food on a tablecloth-covered table Though uncommon using bleach to intentionally contaminate food is a tool inspectors use to ensure food can t be served announced Danica Lee Denver s director of general vitality investigations It is a tool that we use not really often because we prefer to use different methods but from time to time it is necessary she noted Related Articles Denver wants to increase fines against landlords who don t comply with city s new residential rental license scheme The soundness department also provided images from the Saturday inspection showing a thermometer stuck into meat that indicated a temperature of degrees She commented inspectors had previously approached Tacolorado s staff twice both in late October The vendor was given two cease-and-desist letters and inspection reports show it was dinged for failing to have handwashing stations for improper sanitation and for temperature concerns among other alleged issues The food was also being prepared in a residential rather than commercial kitchen which carries further vulnerability Lee mentioned More than pounds of meat and food were disposed over during those two interactions the agency stated and the vendor s staff cooperated with inspectors Tacolorado has also received multiple cease-and-desist letters and administrative citations But when inspectors arrived Saturday night staff began moving food into a locked truck which prompted the inspectors to use bleach to contaminate the remaining food A message sent to Tacolorado through its social media page was not this instant returned A California taco vendor listed in the company s business filings also did not forthwith return a social media message seeking comment Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get wellness news sent straight to your inbox