About Food Safety Inspections

The Food Safety Program inspects restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses in Allegheny County that prepare, distribute, or sell food.

Inspections are conducted by ACHD Food Safety Inspectors. The most common types of inspections are:

  • Pre-operational inspections
  • Routine comprehensive inspections
  • Reinspections
  • Complaint investigations

A pre-operational inspection takes place after a business completes the permit application process. If the business meets all food safety requirements, the inspector issues a food permit so that business may begin serving or selling food to the public.

After receiving a permit, food businesses are inspected on a routine basis. These unannounced inspections occur twice a year, once a year, or every other year, depending on the type of food the business prepares and its inspection history.

During an inspection, inspectors look for conditions that could make people sick. Any problems found are listed as violations on the inspection report, and the business must correct them. Violations are categorized as high, medium, or low risk based on their potential impact on public health.

Learn more about types of violations and read inspection reports by visiting Search Inspection Reports.

 

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