The time I walked into a shop… and the staff member walked out

EHO Story 📩

I’ve had some interesting reactions when turning up for a food hygiene inspection—nervousness, awkward jokes, even the occasional eye-roll. But this one was a first.

I went to inspect a small kiosk selling low-risk foods, you know, hot drinks, crepes, cakes, that sort of thing. Nothing too intense.

There was just one team member working when I arrived, so I did my usual thing—polite introduction, explained why I was there… all very standard.

And then… the team member totally freaked out.

Before I could even start the inspection, they told me they needed to close the shop and leave.

And that’s exactly what they did. Door shut. Lights off. Gone.

At this point, I wasn’t sure if I should feel offended or impressed by the sheer dedication to avoiding an Environmental Health Officer (EHO).

Back at the office, I managed to get hold of the manager, who, luckily, was much more willing to have a chat. We arranged a time for me to go back when she could be there.

When I returned, the same nervous team member was there again. But this time, I managed to reassure them, involve them in the inspection, and (hopefully) prove that I wasn’t some terrifying government monster out to ruin their day.

Food Safety Tip

Inspections aren’t meant to be a scary experience. But if your team isn’t trained properly, they might panic when an EHO turns up—which is never a good look.

To make sure your team doesn’t react like they’ve seen a ghost when an inspector arrives:

✔️ Train them on the basics – They should know what an inspection involves.
✔️ Keep things in order – If everything’s running as it should be, there’s nothing to worry about.
✔️ Encourage confidence – Team members should be comfortable answering simple food safety questions.

The Serious Lesson

An EHO visit isn’t something to be afraid of—it’s just a check to make sure everything is safe. If a business is well-run and following the rules, an inspection should be just another day at work.

If the thought of an inspector walking in does make you (or your team) nervous, or if your team’s first instinct is to shut up shop and run, then it may be time for some training.

💡 That’s exactly why I created the Inspection Ready course. It teaches you and your team what inspectors look for, how to stay compliant, and how to handle an inspection with confidence—so no one ever has to panic-close again.