Make sure your food vendor has a Public Health permit to avoid foodborne illness

May 21, 2025.Reading time 9 minutes.

The best way to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses when you’re eating out is to only buy food from businesses that have a food safety rating sign – the green smiley face signs. These signs mean that a business has a Public Health food permit, which is an important step in the process to make sure a business is safely serving food.

Public Health’s food safety rating system is expanding! Here’s what to expect.

December 16, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

As 2025 approaches, we have great news for food lovers across King County. Public Health’s popular food safety rating system – the green smiley face signs in restaurant windows – is expanding to include more food businesses.

Public Health investigates E. coli outbreak

September 1, 2015.Reading time 10 minutes.

Public Health is currently investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157 – one of the most serious foodborne illnesses you can contract. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this outbreak, and we appreciate the support of the community as we work to protect the health of the public. A person can get an E. coli […]

Helping food trucks stay in the safe lane

April 10, 2015.Reading time 2 minutes.

By Becky Elias, Food Program Manager Food trucks are a popular way to eat out in King County. And Public Health is doing its part to keep them rolling out their tasty dishes to you. Last weekend, the Seattle Food Truck Alliance (SFTA) kicked off its first annual “Spring Cleaning” event for food trucks in the area, […]