National Food Safety Education Month 2003 Training & Promotion Guide Now Available Online

May 14, 2003

CHICAGO - The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced today that the National Food Safety Education MonthSM (NFSEM), "Store it. Don't ignore it.," materials are now accessible on the NRAEF Web site at www.nraef.org/nfsem/. Visitors to the National Restaurant Association booth (#6100) at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held at McCormick Place, in Chicago, May 17-20, will be able to view the NFSEM Web site and also sign up on the mailing list to receive more information on the month.

"Having the materials online is an efficient and effective way for industry professionals to engage employees in educational activities related to this year's theme. This year's theme highlights the procedures necessary for storing food safely," said Mary M. Adolf, president and chief operating officer of the NRAEF.

Each year, the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council supplies the restaurant and foodservice industry with a Training & Promotion Guide filled with weekly training activities and promotional pieces to help industry professionals take part in this national awareness campaign. The 2003 Web pages contain all the weekly activities and promotional materials in an easy to use downloadable format.

"Being able to access all National Food Safety Education Month materials online gives restaurant and foodservice professionals an easy way to spread the word about their ongoing commitment to serving safe food to their customers," said John Farquharson, FMP, president of the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council. "This year's activities have been designed to be quicker with more visual examples of what to do to ensure food is stored properly."

For the second year, restaurant and foodservice professionals will be able to download activities in Spanish and obtain additional tips related to this year's theme from some of the International Food Safety Council sponsor companies. When visiting the NRAEF Web site viewers will also be able to see what companies have done in past years.

New this year, the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council has created a National Food Safety Education Month logo, which is available to download at www.nraef.org/nfsem/ under the promotional materials section. This logo can be used by the industry, during the month of September, on fax sheets, menus, promotional materials and other collateral.

Created by the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council, the ninth annual, month-long campaign focuses on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and foodservice industry and raises awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational mission of the National Restaurant Association. Founded in 1987, the NRAEF strengthens and supports the restaurant and foodservice industry by providing high-quality learning, certification and awareness programs.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's International Food Safety Council is an initiative focused on heightening the awareness of the importance of food safety education. Founding Sponsors: American Egg Board, Campbell's Foodservice, Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (CBB/NCBA), ECOLAB, Inc., FoodHandler Inc., Heinz North America, San Jamar/KatchAll, SYSCO Corporation, Tyson Foods, Inc. Campaign Sponsors: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Bunzl Distribution, Inc., Cargill, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cooper Instrument Corporation/Atkins Temptec, Daydots, Farquharson Enterprises, Ltd., Johnson Wax Professional, Jones Dairy Farm, Monstanto Company, North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Orkin Commercial, Produce Marketing Association (PMA), The Procter & Gamble Company, Unilever Bestfoods North America Foodservice, U.S. Foodservice.