Beginning August 26, 2024, in celebration of National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM), the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe will offer in-depth training content on the science of foodborne illness, tips for preventing an outbreak, key strategies for crafting an outbreak response plan, and other topics crucial for foodservice and food retail establishments. NFSEM takes place every September in the U.S., and was founded in 1994 by the National Restaurant Association to heighten awareness about the importance of food safety education.

The content provided during NFSEM will be made available through the “Always Ready: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Preparedness Guide,” which covers the most critical business practices to prevent a foodborne illness, as well as how to respond in the event of an incident. The information provided in the guide is sourced from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response, ServSafe, and crisis communications professionals. The guide also includes tips from food safety experts and human resources leaders from independent restaurants and national brands.

Topics covered in the guide include:

• The leading causes of foodborne illness outbreaks and key prevention measures
• How to handle a foodborne illness complaint
• How to work with regulatory and health department officials to identify and rectify the root cause of a foodborne illness outbreak
• Communication do’s and don’ts with employees and guests about a foodborne illness outbreak
• Best practices for engaging with media and on social media in the event of an outbreak.

The “Always Ready: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Preparedness Guide” can be accessed here.