Do Coast food trucks get the same health inspection as MS restaurants? What to know.

Food trucks are becoming more and more trendy in South Mississippi.

The Sun Herald recently reported on a monthly food truck event in Gautier and a new restaurant on wheels serving lobster rolls to diners across the Coast. Additionally, Waveland hosts a food truck event and some of the trucks even grow into their own restaurant spaces, including the Scratch Kitchen and Rosita’s in Ocean Springs.

A recent reader wrote into Sun Herald’s Sound Off column and asked if food trucks go through the same health department inspections as standalone restaurants.

The short answer from the Mississippi State Department of Health: Yes.

Although not the size of full-scale restaurants, food trucks are still subject to the same inspections that traditional restaurants go through.

In Mississippi, food trucks are graded on an A, B, and C scale, with the latter considered a failing grade or a serious citation. Just like restaurants, if a violation is considered to threaten public health, it can be shut down until the issue is corrected and thhe meet health department standards.

According to the MSDH website, these restaurant inspections take place a minimum of one to four times per year.

Additionally, those who open a food truck are required to get a food permit before operation.

Liz Sharlot, director of communications for MSDH, said food truck owners are also required to be in compliance with all items on the inspection report to get a food permit.

Coast food trucks have rarely been cited with “C” grade in recent restaurant reports by the Sun Herald.

Sun Herald reporters Mary Perez and Jessica Patterson-Smith contributed to this report.

This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 7:30 AM.