AFDO presents

Inspector Boot Camps

Whether you are starting your inspector career or have more experience, AFDO’s unique Inspector Boot Camp program has something for you.

AFDO hosts a free virtual Inspector Boot Camp for both new and advanced inspectors every year as a lifelong learning opportunity. Learn more about Inspector Boot Camp or Advanced Inspector Boot Camp to explore topics that will support your success โ€“ report writing, conflict de-escalation, preventive controls, food safety plans, food safety culture, foodborne illness, and more.

Boot Camp

Inspector Boot Camp

Takes place every January

2025 training dates announced!

View now

Who should attend

Retail and Manufactured food inspectors with less than two years on-the-job experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sessions cover both power skills and technical skills, using interactive strategies with participants. Technical skills are split into days of training specifically for retail-level inspectors (restaurants, grocery stores, etc.) and a separate day for manufactured-level inspectors (food processing facilities). The goal of this training is to provide state and local regulators access to valuable training early in their food safety careers in order to build knowledge and experience.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Earn CEU credits during live discussions about these topics:

De-escalating conflict

Diversity

Pest control systems

Risk-based approaches to inspections

Preventive controls for human foods inspections

Documentation skills within inspection writing

Interviewing techniques and report writing

Boot camp consists of 3 sessions, each requiring individual registration

January 8, 2025

Power Skills/General Topics

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

View last year’s Power Skills/General Topics Training from January 10, 2024

January 15, 2025

MANUFACTURED FOOD TRACK

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

View last year’s Manufactured Food Training from January 17, 2024

January 22, 2025

RETAIL FOOD Track

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

View last year’s Retail Food Training from January 24, 2024

WHO BENEFITED FROM BOOT CAMP IN 2023

1,854

Participants

53%

Local Regulators

47%

State Regulators

Advanced Inspector Boot Camp

Takes place every January

2025 training dates announced!

View now

Who should attend

Manufactured and Retail food inspectors with more than two years of experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During Advanced Boot Camp, inspectors will hear live discussions on several topics. This virtual training expands on information for inspectors with experience, with interactive strategies to engage participants.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Earn CEU credits during live discussions:

Understand how to identify special processes and review food safety plans.

Recognize and shape Food Safety Culture.

Identify what makes a foodborne illness investigation different from routine work.

Feel empowered to be a lifelong learner and understand the benefits of this mindset.

ADVANCED BOOTCAMP CONSISTS OF 3 SESSIONS, EACH REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

January 9, 2025

RETAIL AND MANUFACTURED FOOD INSPECTORS ADVANCED

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

Coming soon!

View last year’s Retail and Manufactured Food Inspectors Training from Feb. 14, 2024

January 16, 2025

RETAIL AND MANUFACTURED FOOD INSPECTORS ADVANCED

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

View last year’s Retail and Manufactured Food Inspectors Training from Feb. 21, 2024

January 23, 2025

ADDITIONAL TIMELY TOPIC PRESENTATIONS (DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR)

4-hour session

Coming Soon!

View last year’s additional timely topic presentation from Feb. 22, 2024

WHO BENEFITED FROM BOOT CAMP IN 2023

1,452

Participants

37%

Local Regulators

62%

State Regulators

7%

Territory Regulators