Two taco vendors in El Monte arrested after altercation breaks out with health department

EL MONTE, Calif. - Two taco stand vendors in El Monte were arrested after an altercation broke out with the county health department. 

The incident, which was caught on camera, happened Saturday night near the intersection of Valley Blvd. Mountain Ave.

The health department had received several complaints about unpermitted food vending, which is a violation, but when police officers and health inspectors arrived at the location things got violent. 

Officials say the vendors got aggressive, resulting in two arrests. 

"One inspector was kicked by one of the food operators while being arrested and was treated on-scene," the health department wrote in a press release.

No other injuries were reported. 

The county's health department said that unpermitted food vending is a violation of the California Health and Safety Code.

"The food at these unpermitted operations is generally prepared without basic handwashing and food handling practices, putting consumers at an elevated risk of foodborne illness. In many cases, the vendors are also violating the current health officer order requiring masking, distancing and additional infection control to prevent transmission on COVID-19. Public Health reminds consumers to only purchase food from permitted food vendors," the health department said.

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