Is your restaurant all set for the next health inspection? The health inspectors might just show up unexpectedly on a busy day so you have to stay ahead of the game and get your establishment ready for an inspection at any time. This is why all restaurants and foodservice operations need to be aware of their surroundings and always try for a cleaner and healthier environment. Given below are some important tips which would help you prepare your restaurant for the next health inspection.
- Always make sure to use the same form which is used by your health department. By putting yourself in the shoes of the health inspector you need to check with your health department regarding the forms and regulations currently in use.
- Something that I have recommended in the past is to have a friend who is also in the business come in and do a mock inspection so that he or her views are as an outsider.
- Take a tour of your restaurant by starting from the outside parking lot and try to obtain an outsider’s impression of your establishment.
- Ensure that your kitchen staff knows about the significance of food safety brief them on how to review any post-inspection issues.
- Your kitchen staff might include people who don’t speak English. In this case, you need to translate all your findings so that everyone in your team fully grasps the importance of food safety.
- Your self-inspection priorities need to take the following aspects into account: personal hygiene (including handwashing), food time and temperature, your dish machine and sanitation, and the potential of cross-contamination throughout your kitchen. The temperature guidelines would help you ascertain the temperature of the food when they arrive when they are being stored and in times of being served.
- You need to emphasize the importance of handwashing by posting signs all over the kitchen area and in your employee restroom. If using more than one hand soap makes sure your employees understand that difference.
- The secondary levels of managers need to be trained properly to ensure that they are updated with all the latest food safety regulations. You can make use of the Serv Safe food safety training program by the ‘National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’ and train your managers and employees.
- Always review the local health code for all the particular local needs.
- Get yourself involved politically by joining your Health Code Revision Committee of your state.
- Ask for assistance from your chemical provider, who can help with many of these issues.
What to do when the health inspector comes knocking at your door?
To make your inspection process a hassle-free one you need to take the following steps:
- The first thing you should do is ask for the inspector’s credentials. There are many imposters who might try to put you in a false position so if you aren’t sure about the credentials of that person then you need to call your local health department for verification.
- Never refuse an inspection since the examiner might obtain an inspection warrant which is sure to make the process more tight and thorough.
- Keep away from offering any snacks or drinks to the inspector since it might be misinterpreted as an attempt to influence his findings.
- Once the inspection is concluded you need to sign the inspector’s report. This is very important since it implies that you have obtained a copy of that report.
- If you need assist with any certain cleaning job, feel free to call your chemical provider for advice and assistance.
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