Food manufacturing inspector
Food manufacturing inspectors make sure that processing plants follow hygiene and safety standards, and that products are safe to eat.
Also known as: Food quality control inspector, food safety officer
- Starter salary£27,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As a food manufacturing inspector, you could:
- inspect conditions in production plants and slaughterhouses
- carry out quality control checks and report findings
- analyse samples of raw ingredients and processed products
- make sure production processes meet hygiene regulations
- train production managers in the importance of food safety standards
- check labelling and packaging
- make sure unfit food is disposed of safely
- advise companies about making improvements, and issue warning notices
Working environment
You could work at a manufacturing plant or in an office.
Your working environment may be noisy and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to work well with others
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a food manufacturing inspector
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- training with a professional body
College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills and knowledge you need for this job.
Courses include:
- food and drink operations
- T Level in Science
Once working, you would complete further training to become an inspector.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:
- Food Industry Technologist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Hygiene Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
You would complete further training in food quality and inspection after finishing your apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
If you want to work as a meat inspector, for example, in a meat processing plant or slaughterhouse, you'll need to complete industry recognised qualifications, such as:
- Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Poultry Meat Inspection
- Level 4 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat Inspection
You must be working in the meat industry to do the practical assessments needed to complete the courses.
You'll find more details about the qualifications and training providers through the Royal Society for Public Health .
Other routes
You can complete training and qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health .
Qualifications include:
- Higher Certificate in Food Control
- Advanced Professional Certificate in Food Hygiene and Standards Control
You will also complete a portfolio of work for assessment as part of the training.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll usually need a driving licence to travel between production sites.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a food safety manager, co-ordinating the work of a team of inspectors.
You could work as a manager with the Food Standards Agency .
You could also move into environmental health or food science after further training.
Guides for this industry
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