South Health District

In its ongoing commitment to food safety, the National Restaurant Association today announced this year’s National Food Safety Month (NFSM) theme: “Notorious Virus”- how to protect against the leading causes of foodborne illness.

“Food safety and security is the top priority for America’s one million restaurants,” said Sherman Brown, senior vice president of the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe food safety and handling program. “With over 130 million meals served daily, learning how to detect and protect against foodborne illness is top of mind in the restaurant and foodservice industry. This September, we’ll provide the tools foodservice professionals need to protect themselves and their guests against foodborne illness.”

This year’s NFSM campaign will focus on protecting against some of the leading causes of foodborne illness – Norovirus and Hepatitis A. The Association will highlight the sources of these viruses and provide tips and tools on how to detect and prevent the spread of foodborne illness through proper hand washing and cleaning procedures. New training tools and resources will be made available each week including activities, posters, infographics, and videos. The themes for each week include:

·       Week 1: Viruses – Know The Basics

·       Week 2: Norovirus

·       Week 3: Hepatitis A

·       Week 4: Stop The Spread

·       Week 5: Keep Your Guests Safe

For the sixth consecutive year, NFSM is sponsored by SCA, maker of the Tork^® brand of Away-from-Home professional hygiene products in North America. SCA’s Tork^® brand is committed to food safety education and hygiene product solutions. “We work diligently to promote best practices in restaurants and foodservice venues, helping our customers to understand the essential role that hygiene plays in food safety and healthy environments for our industry’s employees and patrons.” said Suzanne Cohen, Marketing Director Foodservice SCA Americas. 

NFSM, held annually in September, was created in 1994 by the Association to heighten awareness about the importance of food safety education. As part of its campaign, the Association offers free resources for foodservice industry professionals.

To join the conversation, follow @ServSafe on Twitter and use the hashtag #NFSM.

For more information and resources on NFSM, visit: FoodSafetyMonth.com.