EHO Tips: What You Need to Know About Food Safety Inspections

Restaurants and other food service businesses depend on their customer's trust to earn referrals and repeat business. A big part of that trust is in the safety of the food the establishment serves. That’s why Top End councils require environmental health officers, EHOs, to perform food safety inspections on a regular basis. These tips will teach you what to expect during a food safety inspection, and more importantly, how to pass with flying colours.

What to Expect During a Food Safety Inspection

The environmental health officer will check to see that your restaurant or food service facility meets the government’s standards for food safety, such as:

• Storing food in intact, clean containers.
• Keeping raw meats from touching other foods.
• Storing raw meat in a closed container.
• Keeping food at the proper temperature.
• Creating and maintaining a log that records storage and serving container temperatures.
• Avoiding cross-contamination by not reusing food preparation tools.
• Making sure that your food preparation, serving, and storage areas are clean and free from signs of pest infestations.

As part of the inspection process, the EHO may need to collect evidence to substantiate their findings. To do this the will: 

• Interview you or your staff.
• Examine and copy your food safety records.
• Take photographs, videos, or audio recordings of your facility.
• Take measurements or draw sketches.
• Examine food, equipment, labels, and advertising material.
• Take samples of water, food, soil, or evidence of pest contamination.

How to Prepare for a Food Safety Inspection

To prepare your facility and staff for a food safety inspection, you need to check key areas of your premises and procedures to ensure you have followed the law to the letter. These include:

• Checking your last food safety inspection to make sure you have completed all of the environmental health officer’s previous recommendations.
• Conducting rigorous inspections of your own facility to ensure it has met all the state’s and local council’s health standards.
• Observing your staff to make sure they follow safe food handling practices.
• Quizzing your staff to prepare them for some of the questions the EHO may ask them.
• Checking for any repairs or maintenance your equipment and premises may need.
• Arranging for a pest control inspection and treatment, if necessary.

How to Avoid Common Traps That Cause Safety Inspection Failure

Avoid common errors that many food businesses make before the inspector arrives. You should avoid failing to:

• Sanitise the premises and equipment. Instead, clean and sanitise all your appliances, equipment, and premises, including floors and behind objects. Clean storage areas and grease traps as well.
• Provide proper hand-washing facilities. Avoid this problem by having plenty of warm, drinkable water, single-use paper towels, and liquid antibacterial soap.
• Eliminate pests. Take a proactive approach to pest control. Have regular pest inspections and treatment. Insist that your staff cover waste containers and use fly screens to keep flying pests out of your facility.
• Store, display, and serve food properly. Avoid this common problem by equipping your facility with ample thermometers to make sure high-risk food stays within safe limits during storage, display, and service. Always cover all foods when you store them, even within a refrigerator.

How Professional Pest Control Services Can Help You Pass Your Inspection

One of the worst experiences a customer can have in your food service facility is finding a pest or pest droppings in his or her food. Don’t let your EHO find any pests common to food service businesses or other evidence of a pest infestation within your facility. With regular service from a professional pest control expert, you will never need to worry about this all-too-common cause for food safety inspection failure.

For more information about food service safety requirements for your Top End community, contact your local council for a detailed list. Follow that list and these tips, and you’ll never have to worry about failing an EHO’s inspection again.

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