Each recurring September, the foodservice industry participates in a month-long National Food Safety Education Program that is intended to raise awareness about proper food safety practices. 2011 marks the 17th year of this important tradition and we hope it will be the best year yet.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and ServSafe have teamed up and are offering a number of great resources for you, all free of charge. Everything from informational posters, like the one below, and free downloads are available online, and they are loaded with great industry info and tips. Visit these resources here.

 

Every year there is a theme that accompanies the "message" of the program, and this year, the theme is "Lessons Learned from the Health Inspection." Every restaurant in the US knows the importance of maintaining a sanitary workspace in the back of the house. Annual Health Inspections are implemented to make sure restaurants are adhering to the rules of food safety. From the handling of food to properly sanitizing, storing, and cleaning, there are valuable resources for every person to read, whether you are associated with a restaurant kitchen or not.

In fact, food safety is something that we can all learn from. All the same, fundamental rules apply when cooking at home. For instance, good personal hygiene applies to everyone working in the kitchen, whether you are making dinner for your family or for a full house of customers at a restaurant. In addition, making sure that workspaces and countertops are cleaned properly and regularly is another imperative and universal food safety tip that can keep cross contamination at bay.

However, what makes the resources available online so valuable is that they raise awareness on other, less talked about food safety problems and they provide answers on how you can prevent them from happening. For instance, did you know that you should always label your leftovers and excess food before storing it away? Or that food should be stored in designated food storage containers within a certain temperature range in order to prevent you or your customers from foodborne illnesses? Don't take your health for granted; learn today how you can consistently ensure food safety whenever you are cooking, and become an expert in the field!

To learn more about how you can train yourself and/or your fellow employees about food safety, visit the Serv Safe website and the National Restaurant Association.

Want more information? These relevant blogs can help outfit your kitchen for food safety and success!