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BURLINGTON – It’s lunchtime, and business is picking up at a taco stand on Church Street in the middle of Burlington.

However, these kinds of businesses are getting a close look, after an increase in complaints from customers. According to Carl Carroll, Director of Environmental Health for the Alamance Health Department, the county has had to shut about a dozen food stands because of such complaints, one within a few blocks of his office.

"I think a lot of times folks don't realize there are regulations and they do need to be permitted. It was just two guys, just trying to make some money and they were just set up in a parking lot, cooking fish," said Carroll.

By law, mobile food service units and push carts must also operate in conjunction with a permitted restaurant. There are exceptions for non-profits -- like churches -- who can operate once a month without a permit.

Carroll says that food safety is a concern this time of year.

"With excessive heat like this, it's hard to keep foods at proper temperature, cold foods cold," said Carroll.

For more information on roadside food stands and the regulations, visit Alamance County's website