Last Updated On: October 8, 2024

Raw Meat and Baby Sharks: Illegal Vending Plagues SF Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is facing an ongoing battle with illegal street vending, where raw meats, produce, and even baby sharks are being sold without proper permits.

Merchants in the area are growing increasingly frustrated, raising concerns about public health and the impact on their businesses.

Edward Siu of the Chinatown United Merchants Association, representing 175 local businesses, voiced his frustration at a meeting with city officials, including the mayor’s office, the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Department of Public Works (DPW).

Siu explained that while legitimate business owners pay for rent, insurance, and licenses, illegal street vendors avoid these costs, undercutting local merchants.

The situation is further complicated by the unsanitary practices of some vendors. Siu recounted an incident where a woman was caught picking pig skins from the trash to prepare and sell sticky rice for 50 cents. “If someone eats it, they’ll get stomach flu,” warned Siu.

Merchants along Stockton Street say that illegal vending is also blocking streets and driving away customers. Peter Lo, a pharmacy owner for nearly 40 years, noted, “They usually block the street – even when I ask them, they refuse to leave.”

Mei Zhu, a grocery store owner, expressed concern over the mess left behind by illegal vendors, which attracts vermin and deters tourists. “The Chinatown image is no good because it’s a lot of garbage right here,” she said.

Despite efforts from city officials, including public health inspections and the impounding of unsafe food, the illegal vending problem persists. ABC7 News witnessed vendors briefly packing up after being warned by DPW employees, only to return an hour later in greater numbers.

Some local shoppers, however, sympathize with the vendors. “They’re not the criminals, they’re just trying to make a living,” one woman commented, suggesting the city has bigger problems to address.

But merchants like Siu argue that many of these vendors are not simply trying to make ends meet. “They already have Social Security,” he said, explaining that some vendors also receive food stamps and food from food banks, which they then resell—a practice Siu believes is unethical.

The mayor’s office encouraged collaboration between city agencies and Chinatown to address the issue, urging illegal vendors to get proper permits.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health, alongside the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, has increased enforcement, citing several individuals for unpermitted sales of raw seafood, including baby sharks, caught in San Francisco Bay.

As the situation unfolds, Chinatown merchants hope to see more decisive action to protect their businesses and the community’s health.

For expert advice on finding the best meats and how to prepare them, visit our homepage.

 

About the author

Timothy Woods
CEO / Co-Founder
Timothy Woods holds a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from Jacksonville University and is CCC & GMU Certified. He's also the main man behind Carnivore Style. This food aficionado combines science and experience to spread the word about the carnivore lifestyle.
Learn more about our editorial policy
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *