Last Updated on November 5, 2026 9:01 am
As North Carolinians prepare for holiday gatherings, celebrations and community events, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents consider food safety before purchasing prepared meals or food items, especially from individuals advertising food for sale through Facebook and other social media platforms. From holiday meals and party platters advertised online to food trucks and temporary vendors at seasonal events, knowing where your food comes from and whether it has been prepared safely can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
“We know people are looking for convenient ways to feed their families and celebrate with friends,” said Shane Smith, Food Protection and Facilities Branch Head, NCDHHS Division of Public Health. “We strongly encourage people to choose permitted and inspected caterers, food trucks and restaurants to help reduce the chance of illness. We also urge everyone to be especially cautious about purchasing prepared meals advertised through social media platforms. Just because food looks good in a photo or someone has positive reviews doesn’t mean it was prepared, stored or handled safely.”
In North Carolina, all restaurants, food trucks, caterers and temporary food establishments are required to obtain permits and meet food safety standards through routine inspections. These requirements help protect consumers by addressing safe food preparation, handwashing, food temperatures, clean water, proper storage and protection from contamination. Environmental health professionals across North Carolina work with food establishments and vendors to monitor food safety practices, conduct inspections and help prevent foodborne illnesses like norovirus, salmonella and cyclosporiasis.
Food advertised through social media can present additional concerns when consumers cannot verify where it was prepared or whether the seller meets applicable food safety requirements. While some low-risk food products may legally be produced and sold from inspected home kitchens, preparing and selling ready-to-eat meals generally requires an approved commercial food service operation. Food safety inspections help to ensure that food is obtained from approved and inspected sources, that proper food handling procedures are used in food preparation and that proper measures are in place to identify and manage food allergen risks.
NCDHHS encourages North Carolinians to take a few simple steps before purchasing prepared food:
- Be cautious of food advertised on social media. Before purchasing meals advertised on Facebook Marketplace or other platforms, ask if they have met all applicable food safety requirements and where the food is prepared. Be especially careful with home-cooked meals offered for sale by individuals whose operations cannot be verified.
- Look for permits and inspection information. When purchasing from a food truck, temporary stand or festival vendor, look for the required permit. Check the most recent inspection results or posted sanitation grade, when applicable. When in doubt, reach out to your local health department for verification.
- Pay attention to food handling. Notice whether food preparation areas appear clean, employees are practicing safe food handling and foods that require temperature control are being kept hot or cold.
- Ask questions before purchasing. If a vendor cannot provide information about required permits, inspections or where the food was prepared, consider purchasing elsewhere.
- Contact your local health department. If you’re unsure whether a food business is properly permitted or have concerns about food safety practices, your local environmental health program can help.
To learn more about food safety requirements, visit the NCDHHS Food Protection Program.
