You are here

Home • Advocacy • Food Safety

Food Safety

Handling the food that others will eat is a big responsibility. Ensure the good health of your patrons, your staff – and your business – and be proactive about implementing and adhering to the highest food safety standards.  RAMW seeks to increase food and alcohol safety/security in the restaurant industry through training and certification.

RAMW is a staunch advocate for food and alcohol safety and security in the regional restaurant industry. The Association offers several training courses that give your staff the required certification to become licensed food safety managers and will educate you or your staff about food safety and the prevention of food borne illnesses. We will also work to keep you informed of any changes in the licensing process, as well as new laws and regulations introduced by regulatory agencies in Virginia, DC and Maryland.

Do No Harm

Imperial Dade logo
September 20, 2022
Do no harm is a basic tenet of medicine. Although the goal is always to treat disease and alleviate suffering, a physician must always try to protect the patient from any further injury. Likewise in the food service industry. Restaurants want to create and deliver enjoyable experiences to their customers. That’s why they’re in business. But, just as with healthcare, they also need to protect their customers from foodborne illnesses. Simply put, they need to safeguard the customer, the staff, and the brand.

National Food Safety Month Week 5: Develop and Implement a Cleaning Program

September 27, 2021
Maybe you didn’t get into the business to out-clean your competitors but when it comes to delivering an exceptional experience to your guests, it’s what separates the good from the great. Keeping everyone feeling safe is part of the experience. For your workers, it gives them a marker for their collective achievement every day; it’s something they can be proud of. For your guests, it puts them at ease. And they want to be put at ease. (You’re on the same team.) They want to bring their friends and family to a place they trust. We can help you put a plan together and...

Free Signs for Your Essential Business

April 12, 2020
Gelberg Signs would like to support Essential businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They are providing the selected signs shown here for free for any Essential business. To order please call, 202-882-7733 or 240-372-7148.

3 Important Safety Tips to Practice During the COVID-19 Health Crisis

April 9, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association As the coronavirus health crisis continues, the restaurant industry remains focused on ensuring the safety of its customers and employees. With the nation battling the coronavirus, restaurateurs have converted their businesses to all off-premises dining to safely serve guests who are social distancing. Larry Lynch, The National Restaurant Association's senior vice president of Certification & Operations, says it’s imperative for operators to continue enforcing their safe food-handling protocols to help protect the public...

ServSuccess Program Courses Are Free Through April; Upskill Yourself for the Future

April 3, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Association adds ServSuccess courses to its free offerings to support restaurant employees and help them return to the industry with advanced skills. Homebound restaurant employees have the opportunity to use this time to upskill – for free – thanks to the National Restaurant Association ServSafe and ServSuccess programs as well as American Hotel & Lodging Foundation . The ServSuccess online learning suites provide training on the skills and knowledge the industry identifies as essential for career restaurant employees...

ServSafe Offers Free Courses & Videos On Safe Practices for Takeout & Delivery

March 26, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association The goal is to help operators and their employees practice safe food handling and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic. For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice employees to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests while also keeping themselves safe. This mission is as important as ever during the service disruptions caused by the coronavirus. ServSafe is offering free resources to restaurateurs focusing on takeout and delivery during the coronavirus crisis. The goal is to...

Free ServSafe Training & VA Updates 3/25

March 25, 2020
Dear Operator, We wanted to share some helpful end of day updates as well as resources and opportunities for education, support and relief. As you have any questions please email coronavirus@ramw.org and we will get back to you with a timely response. Complimentary ServSafe Training As the industry faces ongoing challenges with COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association remains dedicated to helping everyone stay safe. ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe...

UPDATES FOR INDUSTRY - Business Relief, Community Needs, Worker Relief

March 15, 2020
NOTE TO OUR COMMUNITY Some of you reading this are members, others are not, but all are worried about your business and employees given the current situation. We understand, we are worried too, however you should feel confident that in difficult times, which this industry has faced before, we have prevailed best when we come together as a community and face it head on. We urge you to stay strong, stay clear-minded, and know that you are not alone in this. We are working for you, and there are many efforts in motion. Understanding that you are concerned about your business and employees right...

How the Restaurant Industry is Responding to COVID-19

March 13, 2020
Original content c/o: James Beard Foundation Plus resources for diners, restaurateurs, and chefs The James Beard Foundation is acutely aware of the health and safety concerns surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic. We are also mindful of how this virus is negatively impacting the hospitality industry at large, both from a well-being and economic standpoint. Novel coronavirus COVID-19 is pushing the restaurant industry to think creatively as travel bans are put into place, cities cancel conventions, and events are postponed until the summer. It’s been great to see the open sharing of...

Real Time DC Updates on Coronavirus

March 13, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger Dear DC Restaurant Members, We are in a quickly evolving situation and would like to provide you with a quick real time update from DC Mayor Muriel Bower as of 4pm Friday afternoon. 1. At this time, the DC government has banned gatherings of 250 or more people. The Department of Health has indicated that this applies to restaurants with banquet halls and large private event spaces. Restaurants that can accommodate 250 people do not have to change operations at this time, as long as the 250 are broken up into smaller...

Pages