May 12, 2025 – All district kitchens earned 100% in kitchen inspections! Congrats to our food service staff for continuing to provide a safe and productive work environment while feeding our students and staff!

What to Know About School Kitchen Health Inspections

Twice a year—once in the fall and again in the spring—the Audrain County Health Department visits each of our school kitchens to complete a full health inspection. These visits are important for ensuring our food service areas remain safe, clean, and up to health standards.

The inspectors usually speak with the kitchen manager, but they may also ask questions of other kitchen staff. They’re also happy to answer any questions staff might have during their visit.

Here’s a quick look at what they check during these inspections:

• Temperature control: Inspectors review all refrigeration and freezer temperatures to ensure food is stored safely. They also check that all cooked foods reach the proper temperatures.

• Cleanliness and sanitation: This includes not just the kitchen, but also dining areas, equipment, and even the dumpster area. They’re making sure everything is clean and well-maintained.

• Equipment condition: From ovens to prep tables, they check that all kitchen equipment is clean and in good working order.

• Food safety and pest control records: Inspectors make sure that all logs—like temperature checks and pest control reports—are being kept up to date.

• Personal hygiene: Staff are expected to wear clean clothes and aprons, use gloves correctly, wash hands regularly, and keep hair pulled back and covered.

• Building condition: Nothing escapes inspection—they look from ceiling to floor. That means ceiling tiles, light covers, fans (which must be dust-free), walls, and floors are all reviewed. They also check that pests can’t enter through doors or cracks.

These inspections help us keep our food service areas safe for students and staff—and we’re proud of the work our kitchen teams do to maintain such high standards every day!