What does a Health Inspector do?
Published 3 min read
A health inspector is responsible for ensuring that food establishments maintain cleanliness and safety standards. They may inspect kitchens, storage areas, and dining areas for signs of contamination or poor sanitation. They may also take samples of food or water for testing, and issue citations or fines for violations.
Health Inspector job duties include:
- Inspect food preparation and serving areas to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
- Examine food products and ingredients for contamination or spoilage
- Collect food and other samples for laboratory analysis
- Investigate complaints of foodborne illness
- Educate food service workers on proper food handling, storage, and sanitation procedures
- Enforce local, state, and federal food safety laws and regulations
- Prepare detailed reports on inspections and investigations
- Consult with public health officials to develop and implement health and safety programs
- Stay up-to-date on changes in food safety laws and regulations
Health Inspector Job Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for a health inspector, although most have at least a high school diploma. Some states require health inspectors to be licensed or certified, although requirements vary. Many health inspectors have previous experience working in the food service industry.
Health Inspector Skills
- Inspection
- Investigation
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication
- Writing
- Reporting
- Record keeping
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Observation
- Flexibility
Related: Top Health Inspector Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Health Inspector
There are many steps to becoming a health inspector. The most important step is to get a degree in public health, environmental science, or a related field. Once you have your degree, you will need to complete an internship with a local, state, or federal agency that deals with food safety. After your internship, you will need to take and pass the Food Safety Manager Certification Exam. Once you have your certification, you can apply for jobs with state and local governments, as well as private companies.
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