Ludlow Board of Health Grants Conditional Permit to Food Truck After Safety Violations

Board of Health · Meeting of January 14, 2026

Ludlow's Board of Health voted unanimously to grant a conditional six-month mobile food permit to Mad Eats, a local food truck that appealed a non-renewal decision stemming from October 2025 food safety violations. Health Director Paulina Matusik and Health Inspector Emily Quinn presented a packet of inspection reports, complaint correspondence, and photos connected to an October 4, 2025 inspection and a subsequent food complaint received from the Celebrate Ludlow 250th committee. Owner John Placek told the board he had completed more than 120 events in his first year, installed an on-demand hot water heater to fix a hand-washing violation, and changed food handling procedures.

The board approved a $60 permit — half the standard $120 annual fee — running through July 1, 2026, with a mandatory rectification of all five cited violations and immediate revocation for any new high-risk foodborne illness violation. Matusik also previewed a proposed regional inspection program that would allow food trucks to clear a single inspection in Ludlow covering all four Mill Towns Coalition communities: Ludlow, Palmer, Warren, and West Brookfield.

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of January 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.