# EHO Inspection Preparation Checklist: free UK download

Canonical: https://paddl-ai.co/templates/eho-inspection-preparation-checklist
Last reviewed: 2026-09-11 by the Paddl team

Free EHO inspection checklist - prepare before the inspector arrives

## In one sentence

The EHO Inspection Preparation Checklist is a free PDF for UK food businesses with 3 record sheets: hygienic food handling checks (cross-contamination, cooking, cooling, reheating), structural compliance (kitchen condition, ventilation, handwashing, pest-proofing), food safety management (haccp/sfbb, training records, temperature logs, cleaning schedules). Download it, print it or fill it in, and keep it with your food safety records; Paddl keeps the same records on a phone with timestamps and reminders.

EHO inspections assess three areas: hygienic food handling, structural condition, and confidence in management. This free checklist covers every element inspectors look at, so you can self-assess and fix issues before they arrive unannounced.

## Why you need it

- EHO inspections are unannounced - you need to be ready at all times
- Your Food Hygiene Rating Score directly impacts customer trust and revenue
- A structured self-assessment helps identify and fix problems before inspectors find them
- This checklist mirrors exactly what inspectors assess using the FHRS scoring system

## What is included

- Hygienic food handling checks (cross-contamination, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- Structural compliance (kitchen condition, ventilation, handwashing, pest-proofing)
- Food safety management (HACCP/SFBB, training records, temperature logs, cleaning schedules)
- Documentation readiness checklist (what paperwork to have available)
- Common fail points and how to fix them
- Scoring guidance (what gets 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 on each element)
- Action priority matrix for identified issues

## Record sheets

- **Hygienic Food Handling**: columns Check Item, OK?, Score (0-25), Issue Found, Action Required, Priority
- **Structural Compliance**: columns Check Item, OK?, Score (0-25), Issue Found, Action Required, Priority
- **Documentation Readiness**: columns Document, Available?, Up to Date?, Location, Action Needed

## How to use it

1. **Self-assess weekly** Walk through the checklist weekly, scoring each area honestly as an inspector would.
2. **Fix priority issues** Address any items that would score poorly. Use the priority matrix to tackle the most impactful first.
3. **Check documentation** Ensure all required documents are complete, up to date, and accessible. Gaps in paperwork are easy points lost.
4. **Brief your team** Ensure all staff know what inspectors may ask them - especially about allergens and food safety procedures.

## Tips

- The most common fail areas are: temperature records incomplete, cleaning schedule gaps, and allergen information unavailable
- Inspectors score "confidence in management" based on your track record - consistency matters
- Fix structural issues (broken tiles, damaged walls) before they become inspector comments
- If you know your documentation is weak, that's the fastest area to improve your score
- Paddl keeps all EHO-required documentation digital, complete, and instantly accessible

Download the file from https://paddl-ai.co/templates/eho-inspection-preparation-checklist (email required). The Paddl features that keep the same records: https://paddl-ai.co/features/compliance, https://paddl-ai.co/features/sfbb, https://paddl-ai.co/features/haccp, https://paddl-ai.co/features/routines, https://paddl-ai.co/features/allergens, https://paddl-ai.co/features/team, https://paddl-ai.co/features/documents, https://paddl-ai.co/features/coshh, https://paddl-ai.co/features/mobile-app, https://paddl-ai.co/features/equipment.