Taco Vendor vs. Colorado Health Department: The Real Story Behind the Bleach Incident

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, health inspectors in Denver, Colorado, were caught on video pouring bleach on containers of food belonging to a taco vendor. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage, and both parties have now released statements describing each side of the story.

What Happened Between Colorado Health Inspectors and Taco Vendors?

Representatives from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment have reported that after numerous warnings dating back numerous weeks, the department was forced to approach a taco vendor known as Tacorado in Denver to shut down their operations.

Get our free mobile app

In the process of doing so, the department seized over 100 pounds of food, and one health inspector was caught on camera destroying the food by pouring Clorox bleach onto it.

What Does the Colorado Health Department Have to Say?

After the video went viral and sparked outrage, the department defended its actions, citing warnings, cease and desist orders, and fines levied against the vendors. The department claims that Tacorado was unlicensed, didn’t have permission to sell food on certain properties, and violated health codes.

The department also said that the vendors didn’t have adequate means to keep sanitary conditions and that the employees were washing their hands using water from a dirty bucket.

Health inspectors also reported raw meat sitting out and a lack of refrigeration on the premises.

It has been said that prior to the incident involving the bleach, health inspectors attempted to reach out to the vendors as early as October 23, and that the recipient of at least one of the phone calls gave a false name.

What Does the Colorado Taco Vendor Have to Say?

The owner of the taco truck, Isidro Garcia Barrette, says that while he was aware that the health department was trying to get a hold of him, he wasn’t given information on how to reply, and the health inspectors didn’t identify themselves at the time of the incident.

Barrette said that while he and his team were in the process of packing up for the night, the health inspectors told them to close up shop right before the bleach incident occurred.

Read More: Colorado Fried Chicken Restaurant’s Food Truck Tours the State

Barrette also claims that he has adequate sanitation supplies like soap, clean water, sanitizer, and bleach.

Check out the full story from FOX31 here.