Feeling nervous about an upcoming EHO visit or worried about your next food hygiene inspection? You’re not alone. Many food business owners feel anxious—especially if it’s your first time, or if your last food hygiene rating was lower than you hoped.
Here’s the good news: A mock EHO inspection (also called a mock food hygiene inspection) can take away much of that worry. This practical, no-risk walk-through lets you see exactly where you stand—before the Environmental Health Officer turns up.
In this post, you’ll learn:
What a mock food hygiene inspection involves.
Why so many businesses use mock EHO inspections as part of their compliance strategy.
How a mock inspection can help you achieve the rating you deserve.
Table of Contents
💡What Is a Mock EHO Inspection?
A mock EHO inspection is a simulated rehearsal of your food hygiene inspection.
The session will be tailored to your needs and led by an experienced Environmental Health Practitioner. Although a form of role-play, it will mirror an official EHO visit, and feel just like the real thing.
Think of it as a dress rehearsal: your team gets learning, behaviour coaching, and insight into what they might expect when the real EHO visits.
A mock inspection is the perfect tool to find out where your compliance gaps are.
🔎 Who Is It For?
Typically, a mock EHO inspection service is invaluable for:
🧁 New food businesses who’ve never had a food hygiene inspection before.
😟 Sites with a previous low hygiene rating that want to get it right before a re-inspection.
🔄 Businesses with yo-yo scores who need to understand where they’re slipping.
🏢 Multi-site operators who want consistent high food safety standards across branches.
🧑🍳 Teams that need a fresh perspective — where day-to-day routines have become blind spots.
🧭 What Happens During a Mock EHO Inspection?
A qualified food hygiene consultant will take you and key members of your team through your premises the way the EHO inspector would — from food delivery to food service.
You can expect:
A detailed examination 🔍 of your menu, food processes, site structure and layout, staff knowledge and behaviour. This includes checking your food safety management system, your monitoring records and other documents.
The consultant will analyse your level of compliance with key areas including, but not limited to personal hygiene, supplier appraisal, cross-contamination, cleaning, pest prevention, control of waste, temperature control, allergen management, etc.
A chance to talk through your worries (something the EHO won’t always have time for).
Unlike a formal EHO inspection, you can ask questions openly — this is your learning zone and an opportunity to improve.
🧰 Want a practical tool to guide your mock inspection? Use our EHO Inspection Checklist — to spot food safety compliance gaps.
✅ What Are the Benefits of a Mock EHO Inspection?
A mock EHO Inspection is designed to give you the instant feedback you need to improve and grow.
You’ll learn where your strengths and weakness lie, in particular:
- Where there are areas of non-compliance with food safety law — (it’s better the consultant finds these compliance gaps before the EHO does)!
- Where your blind spots are (yes, everyone has them).
- What matters most to improve and achieve a high food hygiene rating — so you can stop guessing and start fixing.
- Tips on how to behave to survive an EHO visit (when they turn up unannounced), and;
- You’ll gain clarity and an understanding of the rules.
Clients tell us the biggest benefit is the mindset shift. A Mock EHO Inspection will make the unfamiliar familiar. You’ll gain confidence to reduce any fear and anxiety.
You’ll see your business differently after a mock EHO inspection — and that clarity will help you respond smarter after the EHO visit too. 👉 Here’s what to do after your EHO visit once the hygiene rating inspection report arrives.
❓Is a Mock EHO Inspection the Same as an EHO Visit?
A Mock EHO Inspection has been designed to mirror the official EHO visit (Environmental Health Inspection). It is not undertaken by the local authority EHO, but by a qualified food safety consultant (Environmental Health Practitioner).
It’s your chance at a dry-run — a rehearsal or practice food hygiene inspection.
A good mock EHO inspection anticipates what the EHO will focus on. It will also give you an idea of the score you are likely to expect.
How would we know? Because we’ve been there — our years of EHO training and experience with that EHO brain.
And our job is to get you a step ahead.
🚀 Ready to Book a Mock EHO Inspection?
Whether you want peace of mind, a second opinion, or to rebuild after a low food hygiene rating — a mock inspection can give you the insight and momentum you need to move forward with confidence.
To Book a Mock Inspection call us on:
Alternatively, send an email to the Infinitas team :
🧰 Not ready to book just yet?
Then start by reading our guide: 👉 How to use an EHO Inspection Checklist to carry out your own mini mock inspection.
If you’ve only just registered your food business, read this post first: How to prepare for your first food hygiene inspection.
Final Thought: From Fragile to Unstoppable
The food hygiene rating scheme isn’t about ticking boxes.
It’s about understanding how the system works — and what you need to do to earn the best score.
Get it wrong, and depending on which part of the UK you live, you may have to display a dismal score on your door. Read our post about the rating sticker display rules.
We understand the rules — because that’s our profession and years of experience and training. Because of that, a mock EHO inspection will give your business an edge.
Let’s be honest, the best time to fix a problem is before it costs you your reputation.
That’s what taking Aim is all about — preparing before you “fire”. You can read how that approach works in our Ready, Aim, Fire blog. It’s about getting things right the first time.
Dr Julie Rasmussen
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my mock inspection results be shared with the authorities or affect my rating?
No—your mock inspection is completely confidential and separate from the official food hygiene rating scheme. The results are just for you and your team, to help you understand where you stand and what to improve. Nothing is shared with the local authority, and it will not affect your current or future food hygiene rating in any way.
Can a mock inspection help me if I’ve already had a poor hygiene rating?
Yes—a mock inspection is useful whether you’ve had a low rating, you’re stuck with a 3 or 4 and want to move up, or even if you already have a 5 and want to make sure you keep it. You’ll get expert feedback from an Environmental Health Practitioner on exactly where things went wrong (or could slip), what the EHO is really looking for, and what you need to improve before your next official inspection. Taking advice now means you can avoid repeating mistakes, fix any weak spots, and keep your rating heading in the right direction.
Is a mock EHO inspection suitable for mobile caterers, dark kitchens, or home-based food businesses?
Yes—a mock EHO inspection can be tailored to any food business, not just restaurants, cafés, care homes, or shops. Whether you run a mobile unit, a dark kitchen, or prepare food at home, the same food safety rules apply—although the challenges you face may be different. The inspection will focus on your particular setup and highlight what the EHO will look for in your type of operation.
What documents or records should I have ready for a mock inspection?
You don’t need to prepare everything in advance. Before your mock inspection, we’ll send you a list of the key documents and records your consultant will need to see—such as your food safety management system, cleaning logs, temperature checks, and allergen information. This helps you get organised and ensures the inspection is as helpful as possible. We’ll go through everything with you before confirming a date.