NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH

2008 NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH THEME

TACKLES FOOD ALLERGENS

Month-long Campaign Includes Free Weekly Training Activities and Posters

(Chicago) – National Restaurant Association Solutions encourages restaurant and foodservice operators to begin planning for the 14th annual National Food Safety Education Month.  This month-long campaign is held every September and focuses on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and foodservice industry, while raising the awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety.  This year’s theme is “Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction.”

“We are excited to host the 14th annual National Food Safety Education Month and to focus on such an important and timely topic,” said Mary Adolf, president and chief operating officer, products and services division, NRA Solutions. “The posters and activities we created for NFSEM are designed to give operators another way to emphasize the importance of reducing the incidence of food allergy reactions in the establishment.  These materials also communicate concepts clearly and quickly – in fact, most activities can be completed in less than 10 minutes.”

As part of this month-long campaign, there are free weekly training activities, free posters and free promotional pieces that reinforce the theme, “Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction.”  September’s five weekly themes are:

* Know the Common Food Allergens
* Communication with the Customer
* Avoiding Cross-Contact
* When Mistakes Happen
* Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

Industry professionals are encouraged to use these materials to take part in this national awareness campaign.  The free weekly training activities and free posters are designed to emphasize the importance of food allergen awareness; and can be used to supplement in-unit food safety training.

The NFSEM logo is now available for download at www.nraef.org/nfsem.  The free materials - weekly training activities, posters and promotional pieces - will be available for download beginning mid-June at www.nraef.org/nfsem.  Previous years’ activities are also available on the Web site.

For more information on how to get involved in NFSEM, contact (312) 715-1010, ext. 712 or visit the NFSEM Web site at www.nraef.org/nfsem.

About NFSEM
National Food Safety Education Month was created in 1994 to heighten the awareness about the importance of food safety education. Each year a new theme and free training activities and posters are created for the restaurant and foodservice industry to help reinforce proper food safety practices and procedures.

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CONTACTS Ryan O'Malley
(312) 261-5318
email

Virginia Petrancosta
(312) 715-6770
email