Grocery Prepared Foods Allergen Menu Accuracy Audit

Inspection template for verifying that grocery prepared foods signage, menu boards, labels, and customer-facing allergen disclosures accurately reflect the presence of major food allergens, including sesame, in accordance with the FASTER Act and applicable foodservice labeling expectations.

Audit Scope and Menu Source Control

• Current menu and signage version identified
  Record the menu board, printed sign set, digital display, or POS menu version used as the source of truth for this audit.
• Prepared foods areas included in scope
  Select all areas reviewed during the inspection.
• Recipe or ingredient reference available for each audited item
  Verify that a current recipe, ingredient statement, or supplier specification is available for each item reviewed.
• Recent menu or recipe changes reviewed
  Confirm whether any recipe, supplier, or formulation changes were made since the last audit and whether signage was updated accordingly.

Allergen Disclosure Accuracy

• Top nine allergens disclosed where present
  Check that the signage or label identifies any of the major food allergens present in the item: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
• Sesame disclosure included where applicable
  Verify that sesame is listed when present in the recipe, ingredient statement, or supplier specification.
• Allergen statement matches current recipe or ingredient list
  Compare the posted allergen statement against the current recipe or ingredient list for the item.
• No undeclared allergen present on signage
  Confirm that the menu or label does not omit any allergen that is present in the item.
• Allergen language is clear and customer-facing
  Verify that allergen information is readable, unambiguous, and placed where customers can reasonably see it before purchase.

Signage Placement and Visibility

• Allergen disclosure visible at point of selection
  Confirm the disclosure is posted at or near the item, menu board, or display case where the customer makes the purchase decision.
• Signage legible and unobstructed
  Verify that the allergen information is not blocked, faded, damaged, or obscured by product placement or glare.
• Digital menu or electronic display matches printed signage
  If multiple display formats are used, confirm that allergen disclosures are consistent across printed, digital, and POS-facing menus.
• Temporary or handwritten signs reviewed for accuracy
  Check that temporary substitutions, handwritten labels, or promotional signs do not conflict with approved allergen disclosures.

Staff Knowledge and Escalation

• Associate can identify where allergen information is maintained
  Verify that an associate can explain where current ingredient and allergen information is kept for prepared foods items.
• Associate knows escalation process for allergen questions
  Confirm staff can direct customers to a manager, chef, or designated trained associate when allergen information is uncertain.
• Allergen training current for prepared foods staff
  Verify that staff responsible for menu updates or customer communication have current allergen awareness training on file.

Corrective Actions and Close-Out

• Deficiencies documented with affected item names
  List each non-conformance found, including the specific menu item, sign, or display affected.
• Immediate correction completed or escalated
  Confirm whether inaccurate signage was corrected during the inspection or escalated for immediate action.
• Follow-up verification scheduled
  Record the date and time for recheck of corrected signage or menu content.
• Inspector signature
  Inspector attestation that the audit was completed accurately and all findings were recorded.