PREVRA Food Hygiene Inspection: What to Expect and How to Prepare
An environmental health officer is coming. Do not panic. Here is exactly what they check, how they score you, and what you need to have ready.
What happens during an EHO visit
Inspections can be announced or unannounced. New businesses often get a scheduled first visit. Established businesses typically get unannounced inspections during operating hours. An EHO will introduce themselves, show ID, and explain the purpose of the visit. They have the legal right to enter your premises at any reasonable time.
The inspection has three phases: a walk-through of your premises (kitchen, storage, waste areas), a review of your SFBB or HACCP records, and verbal feedback at the end. The formal report and rating arrive by post within 14 days. Use our full EHO checklist to prepare.
What your EHO actually scores
Food Hygiene: How safely you handle food. Temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, personal hygiene, and allergen management. Your fridge at 9°C with no corrective action note is an instant fail on this score.
Structural Compliance: The condition of your premises. Clean surfaces, adequate ventilation, pest-proofing, separate handwash basins, and proper waste management. A cracked floor tile or missing fly screen can drop this score.
Confidence in Management: Your SFBB records, staff training, cleaning schedules, and 4-weekly reviews. This is the area most businesses lose points on. Your kitchen can be spotless, but if your records are incomplete, your rating drops. Do not miss your 4-weekly review.
What to do after the inspection
You will receive a formal report within 14 days with your rating and any required actions. If you disagree with the rating, you have 21 days to appeal. You can also request a re-inspection once issues are fixed, though there is usually a fee. The best preparation is running a system that works every day, not just the day before inspection. Read how to get a 5-star rating.
Prevra · Early access
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