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What is a Food Safety Inspection?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Food safety inspection is the process of evaluating the quality of food products as well as the methods, equipment, and environment where the food is stored and prepared for public consumption. The inspection process seeks to minimize the opportunities for food contamination by making sure the food is processed properly and in a sanitary environment. This type of health inspection takes place at a number of different points before the food is actually consumed.

The process of food safety inspection usually begins with manufacturers that produce packaged foods. In order to ensure that each food item produced is in accordance with government regulations regarding food quality and hygiene, many companies have their own in-house food inspectors. The job of the inspectors is to make sure the preparation facilities are clean and that the food is handled in a safe manner during processing. This includes making sure that raw foods are refrigerated or otherwise stored so as to ensure freshness. By taking this precaution, the manufacturer can be assured that when periodic inspections are conducted by local or federal government officials, the facility can retain a high rating and continue production.

Using proper methods to defrost meat is important for food safety.
Using proper methods to defrost meat is important for food safety.

Food safety inspection also takes place at retail locations where packaged foods are sold. Here, the focus is often on making sure the goods offered are fit for human consumption. For example, inspectors will make sure that all coolers and freezing units are operating at an acceptable temperature, allowing the foods to remain free from mold or other contamination. Canned goods and packaged foods such as cereals are also inspected to make sure no items are displayed that are past the “sell-by” date listed on the product. In the case of supermarkets with a meat department, the equipment and storage facilities for the raw meat must comply with governmental standards to minimize the potential of food poisoning from contaminated or spoiled meat.

Chefs wear gloves for food sanitation safety.
Chefs wear gloves for food sanitation safety.

Even at a local restaurant, the process of food safety inspection continues. A local health inspector will make periodic visits to any establishment that sells food prepared on the premises. The inspector will be on the alert for any factors that may impact proper food sanitation, such as food stored near cleaning supplies, raw meat left uncovered on a counter, or the presence of vermin in the food preparation or serving area.

The USDA uses inspections to monitor how food is produced.
The USDA uses inspections to monitor how food is produced.

A grading system allows the inspector to provide each facility with a health rating. In many countries, that rating must be displayed, along with any violations that were identified during the last visit. In extreme cases, a low score on a food safety inspection will lead to the temporary closing of the establishment until the violations are corrected and the inspector deems the facility to be safe for food preparation and serving once again.

Food preparers must toss moldy vegetables to prevent food borne illness.
Food preparers must toss moldy vegetables to prevent food borne illness.

In all cases, food safety inspection helps to minimize the opportunity for food-borne illness by protecting communities from consuming foods that are improperly packaged, out of date, or prepared in an unsanitary environment. From this perspective, food safety inspection can be seen as an important element in the process of promoting and maintaining good public health within the community.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including DelightedCooking, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including DelightedCooking, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

My husband worked in restaurants for years and he can read an health inspection sheet and tell you pretty well whether the place is safe or not.

Some violations are inevitable, maybe because the inspector came during a rush when things are not done promptly. That happens.

I'm kind of flexible where health ratings are concerned. I'll usually eat if the rating is 85 or above. That's not a bad score. I'll look at the restaurant ratings in the paper and if a place has a lower rating, I'll look at the violations. If they're all little piddling things, I'll eat there.

Scrbblchick

When I worked fast food, we went into overdrive when the food inspector came.

There was a Chinese restaurant next door to us and the inspector always went there, first. The manager would call to let us know so we could get some things taken care of before he got to us. We had to make sure there was bleach in the mop water, see that all the personal drinks were thrown away, make sure everybody had their caps on -- stuff like that. These are small things, but they add up in a hurry.

I always tried to go on break when the health inspector arrived, so I wouldn't be asked any questions I might not know how to answer.

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    • Using proper methods to defrost meat is important for food safety.
      By: ra3rn
      Using proper methods to defrost meat is important for food safety.
    • Chefs wear gloves for food sanitation safety.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Chefs wear gloves for food sanitation safety.
    • The USDA uses inspections to monitor how food is produced.
      By: Kadmy
      The USDA uses inspections to monitor how food is produced.
    • Food preparers must toss moldy vegetables to prevent food borne illness.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Food preparers must toss moldy vegetables to prevent food borne illness.
    • Safety inspections include making sure there are no vermin present.
      By: jagodka
      Safety inspections include making sure there are no vermin present.
    • Items like canned goods are inspected to ensure that no items are being displayed past their "sell by" date.
      By: kornienko
      Items like canned goods are inspected to ensure that no items are being displayed past their "sell by" date.
    • Food safety inspectors pay attention to the temperatures that buffet items are kept at.
      By: sattriani
      Food safety inspectors pay attention to the temperatures that buffet items are kept at.
    • Stores must comply with government standards to minimize the risk of food poisoning.
      By: Gabriel Blaj
      Stores must comply with government standards to minimize the risk of food poisoning.