160 Health Violations Logged at Taste of Chicago
City records show over 800 pounds of food discarded due to improper temperatures during the July festival.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
More than 160 health code violations were recorded at this year's Taste of Chicago, according to city records obtained by WBEZ and the Sun-Times. The findings indicate that more than 70 percent of the 81 vendors serving food at the event received at least one violation during the five-day festival in Grant Park.
Inspectors documented specific failures in food safety protocols across the vendor stalls. Issues included food stored at improper temperatures, overflowing garbage bins, and backed-up sinks. In some instances, inspectors noted that food was being prepared in bushes. The records show that more than 800 pounds of food were tossed out because it was not kept at the correct temperature.
The festival took place over a hot weekend in July, a condition that amplifies the risk of foodborne illness when temperature controls fail. The vendors served regional and international dishes to thousands of attendees during the event. The high rate of violations suggests that a majority of the participating food stalls faced regulatory issues during the operation.
A separate analysis of city data reveals a gap in oversight for private events in the city. The records provide little evidence that major festivals such as Lollapalooza and Riot Fest undergo health inspections. This lack of documented inspection contrasts with the detailed logging seen at Taste of Chicago, where every vendor was subject to review.
The city's health inspectors are responsible for monitoring food safety at public and private events. The records from Taste of Chicago show a pattern of non-compliance that spans a majority of the listed participants. The data provides a concrete look at the operational challenges faced by vendors in a high-traffic public space.
The findings come from an analysis of city records by WBEZ and the Sun-Times. The report details the specific types of violations and the volume of food discarded. It also notes the limited inspection activity for private music festivals held in the area.
The city has not released a new statement regarding the specific Taste of Chicago findings beyond the standard inspection logs. The records confirm the number of vendors affected and the specific nature of the health code breaches observed by inspectors on the ground.
