International Food Safety Council September 1999 * Ideas For Taking Part In National Food Safety Education MonthSM

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This Training & Promotion Guide includes information, tips and tools for taking part in National Food Safety Education Month^SM. While you may be implementing similar initiatives throughout the year, September is a timely opportunity to build enthusiasm for food safety. Some of the ideas and materials may be more relevant to you than others; please select or adapt the ideas that best suit your goals and resources.

Below are three suggested participation levels for promoting food safety education and training during National Food Safety Education Month--within your own organization, to retail food establishments, and to the public. Select the activities from each level that best suit your goals and resources.

Level 1: Within Your Own Organization

• Conduct food safety training classes for your staff, and certify key staff in food safety. Five training modules featuring the "Cook It Safely" theme are available free of charge on the Council web site at www.foodsafetycouncil.org. More extensive training information about the ServSafe^® food safety program is available on the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Web site at www.edfound.org. For more information on ServSafe certification, call 800/809-6032.
• Promote National Food Safety Education Month in your organization's internal newsletter or magazine. Sample newsletter copy is provided in this Guide.
• Create a display in your office to promote National Food Safety Education Month to staff and visitors. Use the logo and theme art provided in this Guide on your display and showcase your food safety related material and products.
• Create special letterhead and fax cover sheets for internal and external correspondence throughout September using the logo and theme art provided in this Guide.

Level 2: To Retail Food Establishments

• Conduct food safety certification classes for your retail food workers and emphasize the key "Cook It Safely" message: always cook food to the proper internal temperature. Information about the ServSafe^® food safety program is available on the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation web site at www.edfound.org. For more information on ServSafe certification, call 800/809-6032.
• Provide food safety training information to retail food establishments. Five employee training modules featuring the "Cook It Safely" theme are available free of charge on the Council web site at www.foodsafetycouncil.org. Download, photocopy and distribute these materials to retail food establishments.
• Encourage retail food establishments to participate in National Food Safety Education Month; mail or fax the sample letter provided in this Guide. The letter promotes the Training & Promotion Guide available free of charge to retail food establishments by visiting the Council web site.
• Promote National Food Safety Education Month in your department's newsletter for retail food establishments. Sample newsletter copy is provided in this Guide.
• Encourage retail food establishments to provide food safety reminders for their employees. This Guide contains information about awareness materials available from the International Food Safety Council, including a "Cook It Safely" poster, National Food Safety Education Month pins, and Best Practices magazine, published by the Council. Promote the availability of these materials to retail food establishments.
• Encourage retail food establishments to display materials that promote their commitment to food safety to customers. This Guide contains information about pins, brochures and reheating/cooling stickers for carry-out food.

Level 3: To the Public

• Demonstrate the industry's food safety expertise and commitment by offering the public advice on food safety at home. Offer consumers a copy of the "Cook It Safely" consumer brochure, available from the International Food Safety Council. A reproducible version of the brochure is enclosed; photocopy and distribute through retail food establishments, through publicity and at local health fairs and schools. Information about how to order pre-printed color copies of the brochure and a brochure holder is provided in this Guide.
• Ask your state's governor to declare September Food Safety Education Month in your state; use the sample proclamation and "Dear Governor" letter provided in this Guide. Use the sample press release provided in this Guide to publicize the state proclamation.
• Organize food safety seminars at retail food establishments for high school or college-level culinary students, or arrange for in-classroom presentations. Use the "Cook It Safely" training materials available on the Council Web site at www.foodsafetycouncil.org.

We would like to know about your National Food Safety Education Month activities and results. Please complete and return the Feedback Form provided in this Guide by October 15, 1999. The most innovative initiatives will be promoted in our International Food Safety Council’s Best Practices magazine.

 
^TM/SM International Food Safety Council
* Distributed August 1999 for use in September 1999 as part of the International Food Safety Council's National Food Safety Education Month.

National Food Safety Education MonthSM is sponsored by the International Food Safety Council, a restaurant and foodservice industry coalition committed to food safety education, formed by the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation. For more information about enrolling in the Council free of charge, call 800/456-0111.