A west-central Illinois health department is urging caution amid the growing popularity of a TikTok trend involving “spicy bowls.”
“Play it safe,” the Peoria City/County Health Department said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The bowls, often made with pickled vegetables, protein, eggs, a mixture of seasonings and hot sauce, have surged in popularity on social media.
In response, the health department posted its own message, saying Peoria County Environmental Health has seen the rise of “Spicy Bowl Wars” — where people are preparing and selling their own versions of the viral bowl.
But officials said they are not aware of any licensed food establishments offering “spicy bowls,” which means they are being made in uninspected, unlicensed kitchens.
“The bowls that we have seen are also being sold at room temperature which greatly increases the chances that you will get sick from eating them,” the health department explained, in part.
Officials warn food made at home or sold without a proper license may not be stored at safe temperatures, prepared with proper sanitation or protected from contamination.
Before purchasing a “spicy bowl” – or any food – the department encourages residents to ask themselves the following two questions:
Is the food being properly hot- or cold-held and is the seller making the food in a licensed establishment?
The health department invited residents who wish to turn their “spicy bowl” passion into a safe, legal business to reach out.
