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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 companies meet hygiene and safety standards, and that products are safe to eat.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

on call away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Food manufacturing inspector

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

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 and Drink Process Operator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Food Industry Technologist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

You would complete further training in food quality and inspection after finishing your apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you're working in the food and drinks industry, you can take training for a:

  • 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. These qualifications are awarded through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in food and drink 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
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

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'll:

  • inspect conditions in slaughterhouses and processing plants
  • carry out quality control checks and write quality reports
  • test samples of raw ingredients and processed products
  • analyse and present test results
  • make sure production processes meet hygiene regulations
  • train production staff in the importance of safety standards
  • check labelling and packaging
  • 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 also move into environmental health or food science after training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Pilot Plant & Kitchen Assistant

  • Wage: £12,313.60 a year Annually
  • Location: Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire

Food & Drink Process Operator Level 2 Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £9,152 a year Annually
  • Location: Precision 4 Business Park, Styles Close,, Sittingbourne, Kent
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Food Safety

  • Provider: SHIPLEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 28 February 2025
  • Location: Shipley

Food Safety L2

  • Provider: BURY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 28 July 2025
  • Location: Lancashire
Find courses near you

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