Food Safety Bites with Beth
Internal food safety audits are proactive, in-house reviews of daily food safety practices. They help managers and staff identify risks, correct problems early, and maintain compliance before the health inspector ever walks through the door. When done correctly, internal audits build accountability, consistency, and a strong culture of food safety.
After completing this training, employees should be able to:
● Explain what an internal audit is and why it matters.
● Identify common food safety risks during daily operations.
● Participate confidently in an internal audit process.
● Correct food safety issues using approved procedures.
● Understand their role in maintaining audit readiness every day.
Check Yourself! The Power of Internal Food Safety Audits
● An internal food safety audit is a self-check conducted by management or designated staff to assess food safety practices.
● Internal audits help catch problems early, before they result in violations, foodborne illness, or failed inspections.
● Audits should review key areas such as personal hygiene, time and temperature control, cleaning and sanitizing, food storage, cross-contamination, and documentation.
● Audits should be scheduled regularly but may also be conducted randomly.
● The goal of an internal audit is improvement, not punishment.
● Findings should lead to corrective actions, follow-up, and retraining when needed.
● Consistent internal audits help build confidence and readiness for health inspections.
Take Action! Try these FREE training activities.
Walk the Line Audit
Conduct a guided walk-through of the kitchen during a slow period. Ask employees to identify potential food safety risks as you move through each area, such as improper storage, poor handwashing practices, or missing labels. Discuss each observation and review the correct procedure together.
Pass or Fix
Provide employees with a short list of common audit findings. Have the employees decide whether each item “passes” or needs to be “fixed.” Discuss how to address each issue promptly and prevent it from recurring. Download these free activities: Pass or Fix Activity and Pass or Fix Cards.
Inspector’s Eye
Assign one employee to act as the “health inspector” while others continue working. The inspector observes silently for 5–10 minutes and then reports what they noticed. Emphasize that this is a learning activity, not a critique, and focus on solutions. We’ve provided these free resources for your use: Reflection Sheet and Observation Activity. Alternatively, you can use the sheet that your health inspector uses during their official visits.
Photo Finish
Show photos of food service areas with both correct and incorrect practices. Then have your employees identify what would be flagged during an internal audit and explain why. Discuss how small details can make a big difference.
Keep it Going!
● Conduct brief, routine internal audits on a regular basis.
● Share audit results with staff and discuss improvements openly.
● Recognize employees who consistently follow food safety procedures.
● Revisit problem areas during shift meetings or pre-service huddles.
● Keep audit checklists accessible and easy to use.
Internal food safety audits are not about catching mistakes—they are about preventing them. When everyone takes ownership of food safety and participates in the audit process, the result is a safer operation, a stronger team, and a clean sweep when it matters most.
Do you need more in-depth training for your staff? TSC Associates offers private training tailored to meet your establishment’s needs. With our experienced instructors and flexible training options, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to stay in compliance and keep your establishment safe. Contact TSC Associates to find out more about our array of personalized training as well as ServSafe® training and certification.
Created by Beth Brewer, TSC Associates LLC
Resources
1. Food Code 2022 The foundation for most health department inspections and audit standards.
2. Creating a Food Safety Culture Practical guidance on building a culture that supports daily audit readiness.
3. Food Safety Checklist