COVID-19 Regulatory Impact Analyses

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data science team at Hazel Analytics has been regularly studying the impacts of the pandemic on regulatory food service and retail inspections. Areas such as inspection volumes, consumer complaints, and rising risk factors among others have been studied. We publish our findings in periodic installments, which can be accessed below.
In the latest installment, we observe that health inspectors have increased their focus on certain types of violations, most notably those that require having food safety certified and trained staff present.

Oct 28, 2022

In the latest installment, we observe that health inspectors have increased their focus on certain types of violations, most notably those that require having food safety certified and trained staff present.

As of January 31, 2022, we observe that inspection enforcement behavior is nearly back to normal, with average violations cited per inspection at about 93% of pre-pandemic levels.

Feb 17, 2022

As of January 31, 2022, we observe that inspection enforcement behavior is nearly back to normal, with average violations cited per inspection at about 93% of pre-pandemic levels.

As of June 30, 2021, we observe that the percentage of inspections related to COVID-19 is starting to trend down from its peak pandemic level. At the same time, weekly inspection volumes have gradually increased and remained steady, though still below pre-COVID levels.

Jul 28, 2021

As of June 30, 2021, we observe that the percentage of inspections related to COVID-19 is starting to trend down from its peak pandemic level. At the same time, weekly inspection volumes have gradually increased and remained steady, though still below pre-COVID levels.

We identify the top 5 food code violations that inspectors have heightened focus on over the course of the pandemic, and track the recovery status of average violations per inspection (total and critical) following the initial drastic drop from the start of the pandemic.

Mar 31, 2021

We identify the top 5 food code violations that inspectors have heightened focus on over the course of the pandemic, and track the recovery status of average violations per inspection (total and critical) following the initial drastic drop from the start of the pandemic.

We compare and contrast the impact and recovery of facilities based on chain size (large chains, small chains, and independent facilities).

Nov 16, 2020

We compare and contrast the impact and recovery of facilities based on chain size (large chains, small chains, and independent facilities).

We observe a near-full recovery in the average of number violations per inspection after hitting a record low in April 2020.

Oct 13, 2020

We observe a near-full recovery in the average of number violations per inspection after hitting a record low in April 2020.

In this sixth installment, we observe another surge in consumer complaints and share some specific complaints verbatim.

Aug 24, 2020

In this sixth installment, we observe another surge in consumer complaints and share some specific complaints verbatim.

We observe an increase in hygiene and sanitation related violations, and identify six jurisdictions with 100%+ increases in consumer complaints.

Jul 22, 2020

We observe an increase in hygiene and sanitation related violations, and identify six jurisdictions with 100%+ increases in consumer complaints.

Approximately three months after the emergence of the pandemic in the US, inspection volumes begin to rebound and slowly increase after bottoming out.

Jun 12, 2020

Approximately three months after the emergence of the pandemic in the US, inspection volumes begin to rebound and slowly increase after bottoming out.

We see a spike in inspections related to COVID-19 compliance and see a drastic increase in consumer complaints.

May 13, 2020

We see a spike in inspections related to COVID-19 compliance and see a drastic increase in consumer complaints.

We continue to observe a drastic reduction in inspection volumes, with some jurisdictions reporting no inspections at all.

Apr 10, 2020

We continue to observe a drastic reduction in inspection volumes, with some jurisdictions reporting no inspections at all.

In this first installment, we observe an initial drop in both inspection and violation volumes due to the pandemic, and look at trends in handwashing violations.

Mar 21, 2020

In this first installment, we observe an initial drop in both inspection and violation volumes due to the pandemic, and look at trends in handwashing violations.