12/06/2026
Do you have to follow every request from an EHO? 🤔 Not always, and it’s important to understand why.
EHOs play a critical role in protecting public health. They assess your premises, processes, documentation, and training to ensure the food you produce is safe. But not every recommendation is a strict legal requirement. Sometimes, you might be asked to implement something that feels excessive, unclear, or not fully aligned with how your business operates.
In those situations, you’re not expected to follow blindly.
Food safety legislation is risk-based. It allows for flexibility in how compliance is achieved, as long as the end result is the same: safe food.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth stepping back and getting a second opinion. In many cases, there are alternative approaches or safe deviations that still meet compliance requirements, while working better for your setup.
EHOs generally welcome informed operators who are open to discussion and focused on achieving the right outcome 🤝
If you’ve received a report and aren’t sure how to approach it, that’s exactly where a food safety consultant like myself can support. Compliance shouldn’t feel unclear; it should feel controlled.
