Imposter health inspector trying to get access to Tri-Cities restaurants

The Benton Franklin Health District is receiving reports from restaurants that an imposter is claiming to be a district food safety inspector and trying to get into commercial kitchens in the Tri-Cities area.

The problem started in December when two food establishments within two weeks notified the health district that something strange had occurred.

Most restaurants and other places that serve food, such as schools, have an inspector assigned to them who returns for each check, said Erin Hockaday, the district’s surveillance and investigation director.

But establishments reported that someone they did not know showed up, identified themselves as a district food safety inspector and asked to enter the kitchen in December.

When asked for identification, they immediately left, Hockaday said.

Neither establishment had caught the person on video camera.

The district responded by alerting food establishments of the fake food safety inspector and emphasizing that its real inspectors carry district photo identification and show it if asked.

The issue seemed to end in December, but then resurfaced in the past week.

Then unsuspecting employees of one establishment in Richland let the imposter conduct a full inspection and thought nothing more of it, until they were surprised that a real district inspector showed up for a check not long after that. Employees questioned why they needed another inspection so soon.

The district also heard from another establishment that received a call from someone saying they were an inspector and wanted to schedule a weekend inspection. Employees of the establishment knew that the district does not conduct routine inspections on the weekend.

The imposter’s motive is a mystery, Hockaday said.

About a decade ago the Tri-Cities area also had a person posing as a food safety inspector, she said. One restaurant reported that the inspector seemed to be casing the restaurant, showing interest in the safe and the office area.

The district also is concerned about the possibility that an imposter might be trying to gain access to commercial kitchens to contaminate food, Hockaday said.

The district recently sent an email to establishments with food licenses in Benton and Franklin counties, warning them of a person posing as a health district food inspector.

“In these incidents, the individual attempted to enter kitchen areas while claiming to be an inspector and was carrying an iPad,” the notice said. “When staff asked for identification, the individual immediately fled the establishment.”

The district reminded businesses to ask for their health district identification if they are in doubt and to deny access if credentials are not shown.

“We urge all food establishments to stay vigilant,” the health district message said. “If you believe someone may be impersonating an inspector or notice any suspicious activity, contact both the BFHD Food Program and local law enforcement right away.”

The health district food program supervisor can be reached at 509-460-4205 to report suspicious activity.