What to expect from a food safety inspection

If a food safety officer finds problems with your food business, they will itemise the issues in writing to you. They will give you a reasonable amount of time to make changes unless there is an imminent risk to public health.

Once you comply with the changes, inform the food officer immediately. This helps to minimise disruption to your business and can support any request you make for a revisit or re-rating where the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme applies.

You should keep evidence of the action you have taken, such as photographs, invoices, updated procedures or training records, in case the officer asks to see it or you later request a re-rating.

If the officer has removed the food for analysis or examination, you should check with them for the results.

Reporting food incidents

If you become aware of a food incident - for example, your food has become contaminated - you must immediately remove your food from sale or recall it from customers. You must also notify the authorities immediately.