Restaurant Sanitation Checklist Template – Free PDF

Restaurant sanitation checklist

This restaurant sanitation checklist is a reliable tool for maintaining consistent health and safety standards throughout your food service operation. When preparing for surprise health inspections, having a systematic way to verify compliance across all areas—from kitchen surfaces to employee hygiene practices—can make the difference between passing with flying colors or facing violations.

As stated by the US Department of Agriculture, proper cooking and processing of food can prevent most cases of foodborne illness. By implementing this checklist into your daily operations, you create a culture of cleanliness that protects both your customers and your business.

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Preview of the template

Page 1

Kitchen Cleanliness

Are all food preparation surfaces clean and sanitized?

Are cutting boards clean and free of any cracks or damages?

Are all utensils and equipment properly cleaned and stored?

Are all sinks, faucets and drains free of any food debris or grease buildup?

Is the floor free of any spills or debris?

Are all garbage cans clean and lined with trash bags?

Food Storage

Are all food items stored at the appropriate temperature?

Are raw and cooked foods properly separated to prevent cross-contamination?

Are all food items stored off the floor and covered?

Are all food storage containers clean, labeled and in good condition?

Are any expired or spoiled food items discarded properly?

Personal Hygiene

Are all employees wearing clean uniforms/aprons?

Are employees washing hands frequently and properly?

Are hair restraints worn by all food handlers?

Are clean, disposable gloves worn when handling ready-to-eat foods?

Facility Cleanliness

Are all areas free of any signs of pests (insects, rodents, etc.)?

Are all lighting fixtures, vents and other surfaces dust-free?

Are the restrooms clean, well-stocked and ventilated?

Are the floors, walls and ceilings clean and in good repair?

Waste Management

Are all garbage cans covered and emptied regularly?

Are recyclable and compostable materials separated properly?

Are grease traps and floor drains free of any buildup?

Is the dumpster area clean and the dumpster lids kept closed?

Frequently asked questions

How can you customize this restaurant sanitation checklist for your specific operation?

You can customize this checklist by adding equipment specific to your kitchen, incorporating local health department requirements, and adjusting frequency of checks based on your volume. Review recent inspection reports to identify your restaurant’s particular pain points and add those as priority items.

How should you address failed items on your restaurant sanitation checklist?

Document the issue, implement immediate corrective action, investigate root causes, and follow up to ensure the problem doesn’t happen again. Creating a standardized response protocol helps staff know exactly what steps to take when sanitation standards aren’t met

How can you use data from completed sanitation checklists to improve operations?

You can analyze patterns in your completed checklists through Lumiform to identify recurring problem areas, adjust staffing during critical cleaning times, and refine training programs. This data-driven approach allows you to allocate resources more effectively and shows which sanitation protocols may need revision.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.