Agriculture & Food Inspector

Holland Code:

Organize

Food safety involves everyone in the food chain.

Mike Johanns

In A Nutshell

I visit food production sites to make sure food is being handled in a way that is safe and healthy for the people who will eat it.

I keep up with food safety rules and help businesses fix problems if they aren’t following the law.

I write reports on all the businesses I visit and keep records so the public knows the food they are eating is safe.

Swipe

Potential Salary Range

$37,000 - 93,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

NWT

Northwest Territories

Ontario

PEI

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskwatchewan

Yukon Territories

I visit farms, food plants, and restaurants to make sure food is safe and meets standards. I enjoy seeing how food is grown and prepared, then returning to the office to write reports. It’s a mix of hands-on work and important tasks that help keep our food safe.

Workplace

Indoor / Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

Watch how employees handle food to make sure safety rules are followed
Check that foods sold to the public are labelled correctly
Inspect commercial food products to ensure they are safe and free from contamination
Examine equipment and facilities for safety risks and health hazards
Inspect animals sent for slaughter to make sure they are healthy and disease-free
Record observations and write reports after visiting facilities

Education & Training

A university degree in science, food science, or agriculture is usually required, along with specialized training and certifications to inspect food safely and effectively.

Job Outlook

Agriculture and Food Inspectors play a vital role in ensuring food safety, handling, and quality, providing lasting opportunities in the field.

Related School Subjects

Science

Health Education

Career Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Health Safety Law Inspection Food Compliance Quality Standards Monitoring

Important Skills

Independence

I work independently when inspecting food and agriculture businesses, so confidence and good judgment are essential to ensure safety and quality.

Interpersonal

I connect with many people every day, so being friendly, a good listener, and easy to talk to helps build trust and cooperation.

Detail-Oriented

Attention to detail helps me spot potential risks in food and agricultural products to keep people safe and maintain quality standards.

Written Communications

Writing clear reports on inspections helps share important information with businesses and regulators to support safe and healthy food systems.

Swipe

The Best Things About This Job Are…

Independent Work

Has Business Perks

Regular Hours

Opportunity to Travel

Routine Work

References

AITC Canada

Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.