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Mobile Food Units and Pushcarts

Click here to Upload your Mobile Food Unit or Pushcart Operation Schedule

Haga clic aquí para Subir su Calendario de Operación de Carrito o Unidad Móvil de Comida

General Guidelines for Mobile Food Units

A mobile food unit is a fully enclosed food service establishment that is vehicle-mounted and readily moved, simply stated as a restaurant on wheels. A pushcart is a small, unenclosed mobile piece of equipment that is designed to serve hot dogs only. Both types of units are required to be permitted through this office and shall operate in conjunction with a permitted restaurant or commissary. The owner or operator of the restaurant or commissary must complete the required Agreement form from this office.

All requirements for push carts and mobile food units are found in the Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments, sections .2638 to .2640.

All units are required to have a potable water system with hot and cold running water under pressure. Units must have a sewage storage tank that is 15 percent larger than the water supply tank. At least a single-compartment sink with integral drain boards on each side of the sink shall be provided for utensil washing, a separate lavatory is also required for hand washing. Depending on the type or volume of foods prepared on the unit, a sink for vegetable or meat preparation may also be required. Units must have mechanical refrigeration capable of keeping all potentially hazardous foods at 45 degrees F or below. All equipment such as sinks, refrigeration, cooking, and hot-holding equipment shall meet the NSF/ANSI sanitation standard.

Mobile Food Unit Application and Commissary Agreement

Mobile Food Unit Daily Operation Log Sheet

General Guidelines for Push Carts

A push cart must be constructed to meet the provisions of 15A NCAC 18A .2600 and NSF/ANSI standard 59. If the push cart is not NSF, the manufacturer or owner must submit documentation that demonstrates it is constructed to meet the equivalency of the NSF/ANSI standard. These forms can be found in the links below. Only hot dogs and similar types of products can be prepared, handled, or served from a push cart. All foods and utensils on the cart must be protected by an enclosure at all times to protect them from contamination. View the links below for the design guidelines and applications for push carts.

Push Cart Design Instruction Memo
Design and Construction Requirements for Push Carts (with Verification form)
Push Cart Application and Commissary Agreement Form

Pushcart Daily Operating Log Sheet