What to do when being inspected for food hygiene and safety?

What to do when being inspected for food hygiene and safety? Food hygiene and safety inspection is an activity performed by competent state agencies to assess compliance with food safety regulations of production and business establishments. When an establishment is inspected for food hygiene and safety, it is necessary to clearly understand the legal regulations. The article below will provide useful information about the order, inspection procedures, inspection contents as well as what to do when inspected by a competent authority for food safety.

Basis for food hygiene and safety inspection

Food hygiene and safety inspection activities by competent state agencies are carried out based on the bases specified in Article 5 of Circular 48/2015/TT-BYT, specifically as follows:

• National technical regulations for food products.
• Laws on food safety for production and trading of food and food products.
• Food safety standards announced by producing organizations and individuals apply to the production and trading of food and food products.
• Regulations on food safety conditions for food production and business establishments; Food service establishments and street food businesses.
• Regulations on advertising and labeling of foods.
• Regulations on food testing.
• Other provisions of law on food safety.

>>> See more: Procedures for Making a Food Hygiene and Safety License for Restaurants.

Content of food safety inspection

Pursuant to Article 6 of Circular 48/2015/TT-BYT amended by Circular 17/2023/TT-BYT, the content of food safety inspection in food production and trading includes:

For food production and business establishments

1. Administrative and legal records of the establishment:

• Business Registration Certificate or Business Household Registration Certificate;
• Certificate of facility meeting food safety conditions;
• Certificate of good health;
• Certificate of training in food safety knowledge of subjects according to regulations.

2. Documents related to Receipt of product announcement registration, Product self-declaration, Certificate of advertising content confirmation.
3. Records, documents and compliance of the facility owner regarding:

• Facility conditions, equipment and tools; people directly producing and trading food;
• Production and processing processes;
• Transporting and preserving food;
• Origin, origin, shelf life of raw materials, additives and finished food products;
• Other regulations related to establishments producing and trading food and food products.

4. Contents of food product labeling:

• Implementation of regulations on food advertising (for establishments with food advertising);
• Check documents related to state inspection of food safety for imported food;
• Take samples for testing if necessary.

For food service establishments and street food businesses

1. Administrative and legal records of the establishment:

• Business Registration Certificate or Business Household Registration Certificate;
• Certificate of facility meeting food safety conditions;
• Certificate of good health;
• Certificate of training in food safety knowledge of subjects according to regulations;.

2. Check records, documents and compliance of the facility owner regarding:

• Facility conditions, equipment and tools;
• People directly producing and trading food;
• Production and processing processes;
• Food hygiene and safety practices of employees;
• Transporting and preserving food;
• Water source;
• Origin of food and raw materials used for food production and processing;
• Save template;
• Other relevant regulations.

3. Take samples of food, food additives, food processing aids and raw materials and products for processing and eating for testing if necessary.

What to do when being inspected for food hygiene and safety?

To ensure the food hygiene and safety inspection process goes smoothly, customers need to take the following steps:

Before checking

• Review and complete legal documents: Ensure complete and valid documents according to regulations.
• Inspect and maintain facilities and equipment: Ensure effective operation and meet hygiene standards.
• Training knowledge for employees: Improve awareness and skills about food safety.
• Build and apply safe production and business processes: Strictly comply with hygiene and safety regulations.
• Check the source and origin of raw materials and foods.
• Maintain records and documents related to production and business activities.

When being inspected

• Request to present inspection decision and inspector card.
• Coordinate and provide complete records and documents as requested by the inspection team.
• Record inspection records: Thoroughly check the content, ensuring accuracy and objectivity.
• Request clear explanation of unclear issues: Understand violations (if any) and corrective measures.
• Keep inspection records and related documents.

Understanding the process and proactively taking preparation steps helps customers minimize legal risks and ensure stable production and business operations.
>>> See more: Not Having a Food Hygiene and Safety License: Penalties.

Consulting and support services before and after food hygiene and safety inspection

Long Phan Consulting Company provides comprehensive consulting and support services before and after food hygiene and safety inspection:

Before checking:

• Consulting on contents that may be subject to food safety inspection;
• Review and evaluate the establishment’s compliance with food safety regulations;
• Review legal documents, papers and documents related to food production and business activities;
• Consulting and planning to ensure food safety conditions before inspection;
• Consulting and guidance on completing documents and legal procedures;
• Instructions on food safety inspection processes and procedures.

After checking:

• Consulting and answering questions about inspection conclusions.
• Support in resolving problems that arise after inspection.
• Consulting and support in appealing inspection decisions (if necessary).
• Facility representatives work with competent authorities in case of necessity.

Frequently asked questions about food safety and hygiene inspection

To better understand food safety inspection, customers can refer to some frequently asked questions below:

When are surprise inspections conducted?

Unscheduled inspections can be performed when there are signs of violations, when food safety incidents occur or at the request of management agencies.

How are food samples taken for testing during the inspection process handled?

Food samples are sealed and sent to the designated testing laboratory for analysis for safety indicators according to regulations.

Does the business have the right to appeal the inspection results?

Yes, if you do not agree with the inspection results, the business establishment has the right to complain according to the provisions of law.

What legal documents need to be prepared for food hygiene and safety inspection?

Legal documents that need to be prepared include: Business registration license, certificate of establishment meeting food hygiene and safety conditions, employee health certificate, training certificate on food hygiene and safety.

How is the origin of food ingredients checked?

Checking the origin of food ingredients is done through checking invoices, purchase documents, and certificates of origin.

What are the facility owner’s responsibilities in ensuring food safety?

The responsibilities of the facility owner include: Ensuring that facilities, equipment, raw material sources, production and business processes meet food safety regulations.

How to handle when inspection results show violations?

When there is a violation, the facility will be handled according to the provisions of law. Depending on the severity of the violation, there may be a fine, suspension of operations or revocation of license.

Conclude

Compliance with regulations on food hygiene and safety is the responsibility of every food production and business establishment. When being inspected, customers need to stay calm and coordinate with the authorities so that the inspection process goes smoothly. If you have any questions, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company immediately via the hotline: 0906735386 for timely advice and support.