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Food manufacturing inspector

Alternative titles for this job include Food quality control inspector, food safety officer

Food manufacturing inspectors make sure that processing plants follow hygiene and safety standards, and that products are safe to eat.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42

You could work

on call away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

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

More Information

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.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in the food and drinks industry from Tasty Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll usually need a driving licence to travel between production sites.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Quality Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £20,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Sevenoaks, Kent

Food Product Technologist Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Skills Bootcamp in Food and Drink Safety and Compliance

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN
  • Start date: 09 September 2025
  • Location: Holbeach
Find courses near you

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