Virtual Food Safety Inspection Guide
This infographic from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) demonstrates how virtual food safety inspections can be a powerful tool for health departments. When used in addition to in-person inspections, virtual food safety inspections are a tool that can help with follow-up, education, and building stronger relationships between inspectors and restauranteurs. Learn when virtual retail food safety inspections can be used in place of in-person, the elements needed for a successful virtual inspection, and discover the tools some states have created for retail food establishments to utilize during virtual inspections.
When used alongside in-person inspections, virtual food safety inspections can offer more flexibility and streamline the inspection process for items that do not need in-person reviews in low-risk cases (such as follow-ups) or where scheduling may be an issue.
Interested in learning more about virtual retail food inspections? In 2022, ASTHO released a podcast showcasing how one state health department pivoted to using virtual inspections during the pandemic. Listen to learn how they are continuing to use this innovative tool now.
Last updated: September 11, 2023
