13 Things Restaurant Health Inspectors Wish You Knew

The FDA’s standards aren’t mandatory

Nationwide standards for food safety are established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, whose guidelines state that the “principal goal to be achieved by [restaurant] inspection is to prevent food borne disease.” Although restaurants in all 50 states are subject to inspection by local, county or state health department personnel, the locals are not necessarily following or guided by FDA standards. The feds standards are not mandatory, and local jurisdictions have broad discretion with regard to how to address restaurant safety. (Here are 10 food safety tips everyone should know.)