Foodborne illness places a significant burden on global public health. It remains a leading cause of death in developing nations, impairs quality of life, and leads to significant economic and productivity losses. Health protection systems comprising food safety regulatory activities are common mechanisms applied by governments worldwide to address this public health issue. A cornerstone of these systems is food safety inspections. Inspections involve the assessment of food handling practices and the condition of food production environments with the aim of identifying food safety issues. They are central to informing and applying interventions to control food safety hazards. Accordingly, inspectors form the front line of health protection, engaging directly with food producers to mitigate food safety risks. Their role is vital to the protection of public health by safeguarding the global community from foodborne illness.