Inspector is over zealous and condescending

Hi,

I am hoping someone can clarify something for me. I am going to post this here but if someone can point me in the direction of  better forum to post this on I would be grateful.  -

We have been under inspection for 15+ years with no major incident. We recently got a new inspector and she is checking and making notes on things outside of our HACCP, SSOP plans etc. She is also walking a fine line on overstepping her reach in regards to plant management such as asking every 12 hours since it was reported 2 days ago what is happening to a freezer that functioning but has ice build up in it and requires a repair to prevent future ice build up. We have told her what our plan is for the repairs but she still asks every morning and night.

Is she trying to find a reason to give us major grief or just over zealous? She is not rude, quite the opposite but can be condescending - though I am not sure she realizes that when she try's to school someone on USDA policy who has been working with the USDA longer than she has been alive that she is coming across as condescending. (Not me, a plant owner).

Thank you for any help and clarification.

PilTom

So it's truly universal then

I have experienced the same thing here in Canada with fresh outta da school inspectors

What ended up happening is it went to the VIC, who did very little, so we went to the inspection manager (essentially HR for the inspectors). There is a code of conduct here they are too follow and it was a situation almost exactly the same

Assuming you knew of the ice before she did, (and I'm sure that's the case) and it was not noted as a deficiency (we call it CVS here--compliance verification activities) then I would once more, show her the record of when it was noted, how the hazard is being controlled and when you anticipate the work being completed (clearly she doesn't understand the work involved to empty, defrost, clean and start up a commercial freezer)

If you try the record first (if you haven't already) then take it up with her boss......I truly do understand the fine line about not wanting to pi** off inspectors, but that doesn't mean you have to take all this either

If inspection personnel is increasingly consuming your days request that the concerns be discussed in the weekly meeting and offer a time and day to do so. If you are not comfortable discussing your issues directly with the inspector you can take your concerns to the circuit supervisor. The supervisor is typically good at settling overly excitable inspectors. "We are there to do our jobs but not bully, harass or constantly disrupt..."   The last time this happened the circuit supervisor asked the facilities to be patient with new inspectors and work through the process.