Health Department Inspects Hundreds Of Tulsa State Fair Food Vendors

Green Country families are devouring all the fried food they can imagine at the Tulsa State Fair.

But, before it's fried, the Tulsa County Health Department has to inspect the food vendor stands.

The Tulsa Health Department has to check out more than 250 vendors to make sure the food is safe. 

A family business since 1927, McKinney's is one of the oldest vendors at the fair, and they've got all the traditional favorites.

"Corn dogs, nachos, fresh lemonade, cherry limeade, soft drinks," said Adam McKinney with McKinney Food Services. 

9/28/2017 Related Story: Food Guide To The Tulsa State Fair

The Tulsa Health Department is checking out McKinney's kitchen for the second time.

He passed an inspection Wednesday and it was time for a follow-up Thursday.  

The inspector does a walk through, checking out the ice and asking a few questions

Ashley Davis with the health department said the biggest challenge for any food vendor, is something outside their stands. 

"Just keeping the flies out. That food smells so delicious, they want in that stand," Davis said. 

But, they're not just looking for bugs and other pests, hot water is a must. 

"Hand washing is the number one thing to keep the public safe. So, that's the number one thing we look for is that hot water availability," she said. 

Davis said the health department will check each vendor several times during the fair, something McKinney said he's ready for. 

"People have enough stuff to worry about when they come to the fair like, 'where did I park my car? Or, where are the kids?' They don't need to have to worry about if the food's safe," McKinney said. 

The health department said if you do spot a problem with your food, you can leave an anonymous note at the exchange building for the department to check out.