Food Safety & Hygiene Checklist
Regular inspections & adherence to food safety & hygiene standards help prevent foodborne illnesses & ensure the overall safety & quality of the food served.
1. Personal Hygiene
- Hand Washing:
- Employees wash hands properly and frequently.
- Handwashing stations equipped with soap, paper towels, and warm water.
- Hand sanitizer available.
- Personal Cleanliness:
- Clean uniforms and aprons worn.
- Hair restraints (hats, hairnets) used.
- No jewelry, except plain wedding bands.
- Fingernails clean and trimmed.
- Health:
- Employees report illnesses and injuries.
- Sick employees not handling food.
2. Food Handling Practices
- Food Storage:
- Proper labeling and dating of food items.
- Raw and cooked foods stored separately.
- Food stored off the floor and away from walls.
- Refrigerators and freezers at correct temperatures.
- Preparation:
- Separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.
- Proper cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and surfaces.
- Use of gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods.
- Cooking:
- Food cooked to safe temperatures (e.g., poultry: 165°F, ground meat: 155°F).
- Use of calibrated thermometers to check temperatures.
- Cooling and Reheating:
- Proper cooling methods (e.g., ice baths, shallow containers).
- Food cooled to 70°F within 2 hours and to 41°F within 4 additional hours.
- Reheat food to 165°F for at least 15 seconds.
3. Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Cleaning:
- Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces after use.
- Regular cleaning schedule for non-food contact surfaces.
- Cleaning supplies properly stored and labeled.
- Sanitizing:
- Use of approved sanitizers at correct concentrations.
- Test strips available to check sanitizer strength.
- Proper sanitizing of utensils, cutting boards, and equipment.
4. Facility Maintenance
- Pest Control:
- Regular pest control inspections.
- No signs of pests (e.g., droppings, gnaw marks).
- Proper sealing of entry points to prevent pests.
- Waste Management:
- Proper disposal of waste and recyclables.
- Clean and covered garbage bins.
- Regular removal of trash from the premises.
- Structural Maintenance:
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair.
- Proper lighting in food preparation and storage areas.
- Adequate ventilation to remove steam, smoke, and odors.
5. Documentation and Training
- Documentation:
- Temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, and cooked foods.
- Cleaning and sanitizing schedules and records.
- Pest control logs and inspection reports.
- Training:
- Regular food safety training for employees.
- Training records kept up-to-date.
- Employee knowledge tested on food safety practices.
6. Emergency Procedures
- Equipment Failures:
- Procedures for handling equipment failures (e.g., power outages, fridge/freezer breakdowns).
- Emergency contacts readily available.
- Food Recalls:
- Procedures for handling food recalls.
- Up-to-date contact information for suppliers.
Food Safety & Hygiene Checklist Using eAuditor Audits & Inspections
Implementing a food safety and hygiene checklist inspection using eAuditor Audits & Inspections can streamline the process, ensure compliance, and maintain high standards in food service environments.
Key Features of the eAuditor Audits & Inspections
- Customizable Checklists: Ability to create and modify Food Safety & Hygiene checklists based on specific needs and regulations.
- Real-time Data Entry: Inspectors can input data directly into the app during inspections.
- Photo Capture: Capability to take and attach photos for evidence.
- Automated Scoring: Automatic calculation of scores based on checklist items.
- GPS and Timestamp: Logging the location and time of the inspection.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate detailed reports and analytics for trend analysis and compliance tracking.
- Notifications and Reminders: Alerts for upcoming inspections or follow-ups.
- Digital Signatures: Ability to capture signatures for validation.
- Integration: Sync with other systems like inventory management or employee scheduling.
To perform a food safety and hygiene checklist inspection using eAuditor Audits & Inspections, follow these steps:
1. Preparation
- Download and Set Up the App: Ensure that the mobile app is installed and set up on your device. Configure the app with your specific checklist items, which may include:
- Personal hygiene
- Food storage and handling
- Equipment cleanliness
- Temperature controls
- Pest control
- Review the Checklist: Familiarize yourself with the Food Safety & Hygiene checklist items and criteria to ensure you know what to look for during the inspection.
2. Conduct the Inspection
- Log In: Open the app and log in with your credentials.
- Select the Inspection Type: Choose the type of inspection you’re performing (e.g., routine, follow-up, special).
- Start Inspection: Begin the inspection by selecting the location or facility within the app.
- Complete the Food Safety & Hygiene Checklist: Go through each item on the Food Safety & Hygiene checklist, providing detailed answers. For each item:
- Assess: Observe and assess the condition or practice.
- Record Findings: Input your observations directly into the app. Mark items as compliant or non-compliant.
- Attach Photos: Take and upload photos if needed to document conditions or issues.
- Scoring: If the app includes scoring functionality, the system may automatically calculate scores based on your inputs.
- Notes and Comments: Add any additional comments or notes if there are specific issues or recommendations.
- Verify Data: Double-check the entries to ensure accuracy.
3. Finalizing the Inspection
- Review Report: Review the preliminary report generated by the app. Ensure that all items are accurately recorded and any issues are clearly documented.
- Sign Off: Capture digital signatures if required for validation and confirmation of the inspection.
- Submit: Submit the completed inspection report through the app. This may include sending it to a central database or notifying relevant personnel.
- Follow-Up Actions: If there are any critical issues or non-compliances, schedule follow-up actions or corrective measures as needed.
4. Post-Inspection
- Review Reports: Analyze the reports generated by the app to identify trends or recurring issues.
- Review Feedback: If applicable, review any feedback or comments from the team or management.
- Update Checklists: Make any necessary updates to the checklists or inspection processes based on findings or feedback.
- Training: Ensure that staff are trained on any new procedures or changes identified during the inspection.
Using eAuditor Audits & Inspections for Food Safety & Hygiene inspections can significantly enhance efficiency and accuracy, making it easier to maintain high food safety and hygiene standards.