A visit by an authorised officer to check that a food business is complying with food safety law.
Usually an environmental health officer or other authorised officer from your local council, acting under powers in the state or territory Food Act.
Not always. Inspections can be scheduled or unannounced, and complaints or reported illness can trigger an unplanned visit.
Common focus areas are temperature control, cleaning and sanitising, pest control, personal hygiene, storage, labelling, records and your food safety supervisor arrangements.
Outcomes range from verbal advice to an improvement notice, an infringement notice or, for serious risk, a prohibition order.
Authorised officers have legal powers to enter food premises during business hours, and obstructing them is itself an offence under the Food Act.