VIDEO: Female Health Inspector Sparks Outrage by Pouring Bleach on Tacos at Unlicensed Colorado Vendor

A female health inspector in Colorado has ignited a social media firestorm after pouring bleach on food at an unlicensed taco stand, a move that has drawn both criticism and support online.

The incident occurred Saturday evening at Tacos Tacolorado, operated by Isnelly Dominguez Aguiar and owned by Isidro Garcia Barrientos, when two employees from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) were captured on video applying a gallon of bleach to open containers of the vendor’s food.

The video quickly went viral, prompting outrage from some viewers who condemned the deliberate contamination, while others defended the health officials, citing prior violations by the taco stand. According to Amber Campbell, a DDPHE spokesperson, the vendor had a history of serious public health violations and had been operating without a proper business license.

“The vendor has repeatedly failed to follow essential food safety practices,” Campbell said. “Investigators observed unsanitary food storage and preparation, no reliable method to keep food at safe temperatures, and unsafe use of heating devices like propane—conditions that can lead to foodborne illness and additional safety hazards.”

Female Health Inspector Sparks Outrage by Pouring Bleach on Tacos at Unlicensed Colorado Vendor

Before the bleach incident, the vendor had been cited five times, resulting in the confiscation of food deemed a potential health risk. On several previous occasions, the stand would quickly pack up and relocate after being reprimanded, leaving health officials unable to enforce lasting compliance.

“This time, the vendor had no opportunity to correct course,” Campbell explained. “The bleach was used to ensure the food could not be stored or resold. Using bleach or similar additives is a standard public health practice intended to prevent illness. These actions are never taken lightly and are only applied after multiple attempts at education and voluntary compliance.”

Despite the vendor’s repeated violations, social media users reacted strongly to the video. Comments ranged from shock to anger over the bleach being poured on food. “What an awful thing to do,” one person wrote. Another added, “Poisoning food is a crime worse than selling food,” while a third said, “Not even animals can eat it now!”

Female Health Inspector Sparks Outrage by Pouring Bleach on Tacos at Unlicensed Colorado Vendor

Others defended the health inspectors’ actions, arguing it was necessary to protect public safety. “Seems reasonable. Better than letting them sell it somewhere else,” one user posted. Another added, “Get a permit like everyone else. Obey the rules.”

The DDPHE also shared images from inspections showing unsafe food handling practices at the taco stand. One image showed a large chunk of meat at just 54°F, while another tray of meat measured 82°F—well below the recommended temperatures of 145°F for beef, pork, and lamb, and 160°F for ground meats and poultry. A separate photo showed a trash can filled with liquid and a hanging trash bag near the vendor’s table.

Over the course of previous inspections, the health department has disposed of more than 145 pounds of meat and other food items due to health violations, underscoring ongoing concerns about public safety at the unlicensed taco stand.