A Colorado health inspector was videotaped pouring bleach into a vendor's food in a now-viral video

Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment explained the incident to PEOPLE, describing the department's previous attempts to intervene with the operators

Social media users were initially upset about the video but pivoted to supporting the inspector's actions

A video circulating online shows health inspectors pouring bleach into a vendor’s food, and officials are standing behind the action.

Two Denver health inspectors poured bleach out of a jug and into Tacos Tacolorados’ containers of food on Nov. 15. Footage of the instance was shared on Tuesday, Nov. 18, by Denver Today, TMZ and other accounts. Commenters were initially shocked at the footage, with one person writing, “This makes my blood boil!” and another adding, “She should be fired and arrested 😮!!!” But officials say that there is more to the incident than the video shows.

A representative for the Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) told PEOPLE that they had been monitoring the vendor for several weeks “due to serious public health concerns” and intervened three times as the vendor moved locations. The DDPHE cited several alleged issues including operating without a business license, using unsanitary food storage and lacking methods for controlling food temperature.

Officials offered the operators bilingual resources and guidance regarding safety compliance, according to the spokesperson. The representative continued, explaining that the department’s goal is to support vendors, unless the business continues unsafe behavior and then they “must take action to prevent potential illness and protect the broader community.”

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Per inspection reports, the DDPHE allegedly disposed of about 120 pounds of meat and gave a cease-and-desist order on Oct. 28. Days later, on Oct. 31, another cease-and desist-order was provided and about 25 pounds of meat were disposed of, too. On their third visit on Nov. 15, the operators locked about 100 pounds of meat in a truck and wouldn’t open it for the investigators. Then, investigators poured bleach on the food to “prevent more food from being taken out of our reach,” according to a report.

The spokesperson explained that the Of the controversial incident, the DDPHE said: “Given the vendor’s interference, lack of an on-site dumpster, and the amount of contaminated food, bleach was used as a quick and immediate response to ensure food could not be packed, stored, and resold. Any food that is destroyed is bagged and discarded, not left for someone to eat later. Using bleach or other additives is a standard public health practice intended to prevent illness and protect unknowing future consumers. These actions are never taken lightly and are only used after multiple attempts at education and voluntary compliance.”

As these details have been released, many social media users are commenting their support of the inspector's actions, like one commenter who wrote, "Good Job Colorado, probably save a few hundred peoples lives." "I’m with the Health Department 👏👏👏👏👏" another person commented.

Tacos Tacolorado did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request to comment.