EHO Inspection Checklist

Why an EHO Inspection Checklist is Essential for Pubs and Hospitality

Every pub, bar, and hospitality venue must maintain high food safety and hygiene standards. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance, and being well-prepared can make all the difference to your hygiene rating and reputation.

The EHO Inspection Checklist is designed to help managers and kitchen staff stay organised and inspection-ready. It highlights key areas that EHOs look for, including food hygiene, cleaning routines, temperature controls, waste management, and record-keeping. Using this checklist regularly ensures your venue remains compliant, clean, and safe for staff and customers.

Legal Requirements and Inspection Standards

Under the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, all food businesses must produce, handle, and store food safely. EHOs assess compliance with these regulations during inspections, and failure to meet standards can result in enforcement action or a poor hygiene rating.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) outlines how local authorities inspect food businesses and what they look for. You can review the official government guidance here:
Food Standards Agency – Food hygiene inspections and enforcement

By following this guidance and using the EHO Inspection Checklist, you can identify any issues early and take corrective action before an inspection.

What the EHO Inspection Checklist Includes

This editable digital checklist is created specifically for pubs and hospitality venues. It covers:

• Kitchen and food preparation hygiene

• Equipment and temperature checks

• Cleaning and waste disposal procedures

• Pest control and maintenance standards

• Staff hygiene, uniforms, and training records

• Record-keeping and documentation for compliance

Each section includes editable fields, so you can tailor the checklist to match your site layout, procedures, and operations.

Benefits for Pubs and Hospitality Venues

• Helps you prepare for EHO visits and maintain a strong hygiene rating

• Encourages consistent hygiene practices among staff

• Supports compliance with food safety and hygiene legislation

• Creates clear documentation for inspections

• Free to download, easy to customise, and ready to use in your business

Format and Use

This EHO Inspection Checklist is available as a free editable digital download (Word or PDF format). You can personalise it with your business name and logo, then print copies for daily, weekly, or monthly use. Regularly updating and reviewing the checklist ensures your venue remains compliant and inspection-ready all year round.

By using this checklist, you take control of compliance and set your team up for success before every inspection.

To see the full range of our free range of document templates available from That HR Girl, please click here: Free essential downloadable documents for pubs & hospitality