Single logo
LoginSign Up

Restaurant Food Safety and Hygiene Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing food safety and hygiene practices in restaurants, covering areas such as food handling, storage, preparation, personal hygiene, and sanitation procedures.

Restaurant Food Safety and Hygiene Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
4.2

Get Template

About This Checklist

Ensuring food safety and hygiene in restaurants is crucial for maintaining customer health, satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive Restaurant Food Safety and Hygiene Audit Checklist is designed to help restaurant managers, owners, and health inspectors conduct thorough assessments of food handling practices, kitchen cleanliness, and overall hygiene standards. By addressing key areas such as food storage, preparation, personal hygiene, and sanitation procedures, this checklist helps identify potential risks and ensures that your restaurant meets or exceeds industry standards for food safety.

Learn more

Industry

Hospitality

Standard

FDA Food Code

Workspaces

Restaurants

Occupations

Restaurant Manager
Food Safety Inspector
Health Inspector
Kitchen Manager
Quality Assurance Specialist
1
Are all food handlers wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)?
2
Are sanitation procedures being followed in the kitchen?
3
What is the current temperature of the refrigeration units?
Min: 0
Target: 4
Max: 5
4
What is the assessed risk level for food contamination in the kitchen?
5
Rate the overall cleanliness of the kitchen.
6
Are all food items stored at appropriate temperatures?
7
How many times did staff wash their hands during the shift?
Min: 0
Target: 10
Max: 50
8
Is there a pest control program in place and functioning?
9
If any sanitation issues were noted, describe them.
10
Have all employees received training on food safety and hygiene?
11
Are appropriate cleaning supplies readily available in the kitchen?
12
Are measures in place to prevent cross-contamination?
13
How often are kitchen surfaces cleaned and sanitized?
Min: 1
Target: 3
Max: 10
14
Document any incidents related to food safety or hygiene during this audit.
15
When was the last food safety inspection conducted?
16
Is there a system in place for managing food allergens?
17
How many temperature checks were conducted during food preparation?
Min: 0
Target: 15
Max: 50
18
Are employees following proper handwashing practices?
19
Describe any non-compliance issues observed during the audit.
20
When is the next scheduled food safety training for staff?
21
Are proper waste management practices being followed in the kitchen?
22
How many hand sanitizer stations are available in the kitchen?
Min: 0
Target: 3
Max: 10
23
Is kitchen equipment regularly maintained and in good working condition?
24
Provide details of any incidents that occurred during the past week related to food safety.
25
When was the last food safety training conducted for the staff?

FAQs

Restaurants should conduct internal food safety and hygiene audits at least monthly, with more frequent spot checks for high-risk areas. External audits by health inspectors typically occur annually or semi-annually, depending on local regulations.

Key areas include food storage and temperature control, food preparation practices, personal hygiene of staff, kitchen cleanliness and sanitation, pest control, and proper documentation of food safety procedures.

The restaurant manager or a designated food safety supervisor should be responsible for conducting internal audits. They should be properly trained in food safety principles and audit procedures.

Audit results can be used to identify areas for improvement, develop corrective action plans, update staff training programs, and demonstrate compliance with health regulations during official inspections.

Failing an audit can result in penalties, fines, temporary closure, damage to reputation, and potential legal issues if foodborne illnesses occur. It's crucial to address any identified issues promptly to maintain compliance and protect public health.

Benefits of Restaurant Food Safety and Hygiene Audit Checklist

Reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses and contamination

Ensures compliance with local health regulations and food safety standards

Improves overall restaurant cleanliness and hygiene practices

Enhances customer trust and satisfaction

Helps maintain a positive reputation in the hospitality industry