State hosts food truck inspections for owners in one spot
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — New laws for food truck owners go into effect on November 1. It now means trucks will have to get inspections done by multiple agencies.
Earlier this year, the Food Truck Freedom Act passed, allowing owners to operate anywhere in the state with just their food establishment license. Owners will also need to be inspected by the State Fire Marshal, the LPG administration, and the state or city/county health department.
"If you notice, a lot of trucks, food trucks now have to reroute their gas lines and do modifications and stuff like that because you know the new changes," said Russell Jackson, Russ and Go LLC.
With the November start date inching closer, the state has hosted several inspection dates to allow truck owners to get an inspection by three agencies at the same time.
"All three right there together. Instead of going from one agency to another agency to another agency, it makes it a lot easier," said Myoka and Billy Berry who are food truck owners.
However, even with a one-stop shop to get several inspections done, food truck owners still wonder how new laws may impact operations down the road.
"It's not clearly defined on what to expect, what the new law changes. Who does it apply to and so forth. So everybody's on pins and needles is hoping to pass inspections," said Jackson.
"I'm just anxious to see in the future how much it's going to cost," said Berry.
The new changes allow owners to work anywhere in the state, but there's still a hurdle to jump through before officially opening up shop.
"What it doesn't cover is where they're allowed to operate and how they operate safely in those areas. So you do have to check in with the cities that you're going to go be a part of and operate in," said Jesse Benne with Edmond Fire.
There's another food truck inspection day in Edmond on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Edmond Fire Training Center. On Wednesday, there's another one in Ponca City from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 701 W Hartford.