As a restaurant owner, you know that health inspections are one of the unfortunate realities of the job. The looming threat of a health inspection can be stressful as you work to make sure everything is in perfect order before the inspector arrives. A violation could leave you facing thousands of dollars in fines, or even temporary closure. The lost days of operation can lead to lost revenue and a damaged reputation. To avoid this, it is important that you know what to expect when the health inspector is heading your way. Today, we’ll focus on preparing your commercial walk-in cooler or freezer for a health inspection.
Areas to watch out for
During an inspection, the health inspector will look for some common problems. Watch out for any of these issues, or else you could be cited:
- Spoilage or improperly packed food: The whole point of a refrigerator is to keep its contents cool and safe for consumption. Contact a professional for commercial refrigeration repairs in Delaware if your unit isn’t able to maintain the temperatures necessary to keep food safe.
- Spills: A walk-in cooler should be cleaned up promptly when a spill occurs. An unattended spill could lead to bacteria growth or a major injury if someone were to slip on it.
- Mold: This one should be obvious, but it still happens. Keep food at the required temperature to prevent mold from growing. Use or discard perishable items before they expire.
- Improper temperatures: The inspector will check to make sure the walk-in cooler or fridge is held at the proper temperature for food storage.
- Lights not working: While this doesn’t affect your day-to-day operations, it can affect your food inspection scoring. Take care of it now by having the light repaired or replaced to ensure it’s in working order for the inspection.
- Thermostats accurate: An inspector knows that it’s next to impossible to get a correct reading without a working thermostat. Without an accurate thermostat, the food will be stored improperly and will likely spoil, and a customer could get sick.
- Worn door parts: Worn door parts can cause the door to not close correctly, which can make it difficult for the unit to maintain a consistent temperature. Make sure to get this fixed as soon as possible to avoid being dinged on it during your next inspection.
Maintaining your commercial walk-in cooler or refrigerator depends heavily on regular maintenance. Make sure you work with a quality repair specialist for maintenance and commercial refrigeration repairs in Delaware to ensure your equipment is always in compliance with inspection standards. Keeping your unit in top condition can save you from lots of stress, time and money before your next inspection.
To help you get started, contact Commercial Equipment Service today. We specialize in everything from commercial and restaurant equipment installation to service and repairs. We look forward to helping you, your employees and your guests enjoy a safe and healthy restaurant environment going forward!