What happens when the EHO opens a broken fridge door?

EHO Story 📩

I once went to do a routine food hygiene inspection at a kebab shop. Nothing too out of the ordinary—just checking the usual things while the staff hovered nearby, watching me.

Then came the moment.

I reached for an under-counter fridge, grabbed the handle, and pulled.

The entire door came straight off in my hand. 😳

I just stood there, staring at it, convinced I’d definitely just broken their fridge. The staff? Still silent. Not a word. No warning.

So I turned to them, completely panicked, and asked, “Did I just break your fridge?!”

Only then did they casually reply, “Oh no, it was already broken.”

… And you didn’t think to mention that before I nearly dropped it on my foot?!

Food Safety Tip

A broken fridge isn’t just an inconvenience, it can be a serious food safety risk.

If a fridge door isn’t sealing properly, it can lead to:

❌ Unsafe food temperatures – High-risk foods must be kept below 8°C (ideally between 1°C  and 5°C ) to prevent bacteria from multiplying.
❌ Increased energy use – The fridge works harder to maintain the temperature, costing you more.

💡 Regularly inspect fridge doors for damaged seals, misalignment or gaps. If it’s broken, fix it—before an EHO (or anyone else) pulls the whole thing off!

The Serious Lesson

A dodgy fridge door might seem like a minor issue, but small problems can quickly turn into big ones if they’re ignored.

Don’t wait for an EHO to find out! Stay on top of maintenance, and make sure your equipment is in good working order.