A local government officer who inspects food businesses and enforces food safety law, often as an authorised officer.
EHOs protect public health, and in food safety they inspect businesses, assess compliance with the food safety standards, investigate complaints and illness, and educate operators. Many are employed by local councils.
An EHO usually acts as an authorised officer appointed under the state or territory Food Act, which gives the legal powers to inspect premises, take samples and issue notices.
Acting under the Food Act, an EHO can enter and inspect a food business, take samples and photographs, and issue notices such as improvement notices where the law is not being met.
Inspection frequency is set by the council or state regulator and often depends on the risk level of the business and its compliance history, rather than a fixed interval in the Code.
The EHO usually explains the issue and a timeframe to fix it. For serious or unresolved problems they may issue an improvement notice, infringement notice or prohibition order under the Food Act.