If you run a café, restaurant, takeaway or any food business in Victoria, cleanliness isn't optional — it's a legal requirement under the Food Act 1984 (Vic) and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Council environmental health officers (EHOs) conduct unannounced inspections, and the consequences of failure range from improvement notices to temporary closure. Here's what they look for.

What EHOs Inspect

1. Food Contact Surfaces

All surfaces that come into contact with food — benchtops, chopping boards, equipment, utensils — must be smooth, non-absorbent, easy to clean, and kept free from grease and food residue. Surface bacteria counts are sometimes swabbed and tested on the spot.

2. Cooking Equipment

Ovens, grills, deep fryers, griddles and rangehoods must be free from grease build-up. A heavy carbonised build-up on a grill or fryer is an immediate hygiene concern and a fire hazard. Rangehood filters should be cleaned or replaced at regular intervals.

3. Refrigeration & Temperature Control

Fridges and cool rooms must be clean inside and out, with no mould, pooling water or damaged seals. Inspectors check that food is stored correctly (raw below cooked, correct labelling and dating) and that temperatures are maintained.

4. Floors, Walls & Drains

Kitchen floors must be sealed, clean and free from grease pooling. Drains must be clear and not emitting odours. Wall tiles behind cooking areas must be grease-free and free from deterioration.

5. Waste Management

Bins must be lidded, lined and emptied regularly. Grease traps must be serviced per council requirements. Evidence of pests (cockroaches, rodents) is a critical fail.

Recommended Cleaning Frequency for Commercial Kitchens

  • After every service: Wipe down all food prep surfaces, stovetop, grill, clean fryer baskets
  • Daily: Mop floors, clean sinks, empty bins, wipe fridge door handles
  • Weekly: Deep clean oven, rangehood filters, inside fridges and cool room
  • Monthly: Degrease exhaust canopy, clean behind and under equipment, check drain traps

Why Use a Professional Cleaning Service

Professional restaurant cleaners use commercial-grade degreasers and high-temperature equipment that deliver a standard that's difficult to achieve with domestic products. We also document our cleaning schedule, which can be presented to an EHO as part of your food safety plan.

GV Platinum provides restaurant and commercial kitchen cleaning across Shepparton.

Request a Kitchen Clean Quote