Who Inspects Your Business & How Often: EHO Inspection Frequency

The FSA Food Law Code of Practice sets out a risk-based approach to inspection frequency. Each food business is assigned a risk rating based on factors including the type of food handled, the method of processing, the number of customers, the level of compliance at the last inspection, and your confidence in management score. Higher-risk businesses, such as those handling raw meat or serving vulnerable populations, and businesses with poor compliance records are inspected more frequently. Under the current framework, the highest-risk businesses may be inspected every 6 months, while low-risk, well-rated businesses may go 2 to 3 years between routine inspections. A business rated 5 with a good track record will typically be on the longest inspection cycle. A business rated 0 or 1 will be revisited within weeks or months. The local authority may also use alternative enforcement strategies for the lowest-risk businesses, such as questionnaires or remote assessments, rather than full in-person inspections.