If you operate a food business, it is crucial to follow food safety regulations. Not only will violating these regulations lead to disruptions in your business, but it can also damage your reputation during restaurant inspection processes There are several common violations that you should avoid, such as storing cleaning products near areas that come into contact with food, improper sanitation procedures, improper temperatures for stored food, and allowing sick employees to be in the kitchen. Any of these violations could potentially lead to foodborne illness and pose a significant risk to the health and safety of your customers and employees.
To ensure that your business is in compliance with the regulations set forth by the FDA, it is important to establish standard operating procedures. These procedures should be designed to minimize risks and ensure that all food handling and preparation is done in a safe and sanitary manner. By taking a proactive approach to food safety, you can reduce your liability and create a safe environment that both your clients and staff can enjoy.
Helpful Tips For Upcoming Restaurant Inspections
To help you achieve this goal, we have prepared a list of tips from industry professionals on how to stay compliant with FDA regulations. By following these tips and implementing them in your restaurant operations management, you can ensure that your business is operating at the highest level of food safety. This will help you avoid regulatory sanctions and, more importantly, protect your customers and employees from harm.
1. Use a Self-Inspection Checklist
To ensure that food businesses are adhering to proper food safety guidelines, there are free food safety checklists and guides for restaurants. These checklists are designed to assist in maintaining adequate employee illness procedures, good hygiene practices, and preventing food contamination, as well as ensuring that proper food and cooler temperatures are maintained.
By utilizing these inspection checklists, restaurant owners can ensure that their employees are following proper food handling protocols, such as washing their hands thoroughly and frequently, avoiding cross-contamination, and properly storing food to prevent spoilage. Additionally, the checklists can help prevent the spread of illness by providing guidelines on how to handle employee illnesses and how to prevent the transmission of illnesses to customers.
2. Review Some Previous Inspections
It is important for restaurant owners to take a proactive approach to food safety, and one way to achieve this is by reviewing previous restaurant inspections. At the end of each inspection, a report is provided outlining any findings or violations. To avoid repeating past health violations, it is recommended that restaurant owners review their last three to five restaurant inspection reports.
By reviewing these reports, restaurant owners can identify any recurring issues or areas where improvements are needed. They can make a note of all health and safety violations and take the necessary steps to address them. This may include scheduling additional training for employees on proper food handling procedures or implementing new protocols to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
3. Update Cleaning Procedures
Before a restaurant inspection, it is important to keep your restaurant clean and update your cleaning procedures. A thorough inspection of your restaurant can be done by starting at the front door and checking for any signs of dirt or debris.
Fingerprints on entrance and exit doors should be checked and surfaces under tables, benches, and counters should be free of dust and food particles. Food holding drawers, cooking surfaces, food prep areas, and warming stations should be inspected for cleanliness.
4. Inform Your Staff
One of the most important things to keep in mind before an upcoming restaurant inspection is to make sure that the staff is informed. As a restaurant owner, it is essential to prepare for upcoming food safety inspections. Although the exact date and time of the inspection may have yet to be discovered, you will typically be given a range of dates.
It is recommended to hold a staff meeting to inform all employees of the upcoming restaurant inspection. This allows everyone to be aware and prepared to put their best foot forward in ensuring the restaurant is in compliance with all food safety regulations. During the staff meeting, it is important to review proper food handling and sanitation procedures to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the best tips that will help you conquer your next restaurant inspection in a seamless manner. Follow these tips and find the best results.