The process of food inspection relies on an inspector's understanding of the intrinsic hazards associated with individual foods. Whereas spoilage can usually be determined through a simple organoleptic assessment, the judgment of whether a food is fit for human consumption requires an evaluation of health hazards, many of which may not be apparent through physical assessment. Instead, the inspector must analyse and integrate scientific and handling information to evaluate the potential health risk. Now fully updated and expanded in this second edition, Food Safety and Inspection: An Introduction focuses on food categories and describes common hazards associated with each, using published peer-reviewed research to explain and evaluate the health risk.

With the adulteration of foods becoming an increasing problem, and the complexity of the food supply chain an understanding of risk points to allow targeted inspection and assessment is required. This book offers solutions to this as well as new chapters and material that centres on specialist products and processes that are challenging to inspect, including charcuterie, sous vide and allergen contamination. This practically minded book is designed to support the role of food inspection in the modern food industry.

This book is an essential read for anyone interested in studying for certification to become a food inspector and those studying food safety courses at university or in practice.

Madeleine Smith is a food safety expert based in the West Midlands, UK. After working in the Food Industry and a period teaching Food Hygiene, Madeleine Smith was retrained as an Environmental health Officer. In 1993, she was awarded the Ronald William silver medal and started work at Birmingham City Council as an Inspector. In 2000, Madeleine was appointed to the University of Birmingham, to develop food safety provision. She became Head of the Food Safety Group and retired in 2021. Since then, she has worked with UNIDO on projects assisting National Competent Authorities in the development of food safety controls.

Iain Ferris is a Teaching Fellow and Lecturer Food Safety & Standards at the University of Birmingham, UK. He holds a Master’s in Food Law and has a particular interest in the area of legal compliance. This stems from his previous experiences working in the catering industry and in local authority enforcement. He has garnered an excellent knowledge of food law in the areas of hygiene and standards through both academic study and practical application. Iain's teaching at the University includes the subjects of HACCP, allergen management, food standards and understanding food legislation and is targeted at those that want to gain a deeper understanding of food safety and enforcement.