NSF International highlights food safety programs.
Press Release Summary:
In celebration of National Food Safety Education Month, NSF International is highlighting some of its food safety programs to help raise awareness and support for food safety education throughout the year. Programs include NSF Center for Public Health Education, NSF Global Food Safety Certification and Education Program, Small Farm Food Safety Program, The Food Epprentice Experience(TM), NSF/USDA Food Safety Conference, and NSF Food Safety Leadership Awards Program.
Original Press Release:
NSF International Highlights Educational Resources During National Food Safety Education Month
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In celebration of National Food Safety Education Month in September, NSF International, a not-for-profit, public health and safety organization, is highlighting some of its food safety programs to help raise awareness and support for food safety education throughout the year.
The month-long awareness campaign, initially developed by the National Restaurant Association, focuses on the importance of food safety education in the restaurant and foodservice industry.
"National Food Safety Education Month is a great way to raise awareness about the importance of food safety practices, not only in our own kitchens, but also in the daily practices of the growers, manufacturers, distributers, foodservice professionals and retailers of our food," said Kristen Holt, NSF Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Quality programs.
NSF was founded in 1944 with the mission to standardize sanitation and food safety at a time when the United States had no national sanitation standards. Today, NSF continues this dedication to food safety and education by providing auditing, testing, training and certification services throughout the food industry. NSF's food safety education programs and services include:
NSF Center for Public Health Education: The NSF Center for Public Health Education (CPHE) offers open enrollment food safety training, as well as onsite/customized food safety training courses. This includes Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Manager, NSF HealthGuard Food Manager, and ISO 22000 food safety management systems. For more information about these food safety trainings and others, visit NSF International's CPHE Web site.
NSF Global Food Safety Certification and Education Program: This NSF program provides certification and education covering food, packaging, consumer goods, storage, and distribution, for primary producers, manufacturers, and distributors to global food safety standards such as Safe Quality Foods (SQF), British Retail Consortium (BRC), Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) and others. The goal of the initiative is continuous improvement in food safety supply chain management, which is consistent with the overall goal of the services that NSF offers. For more information about SQF and BRC education and training programs, visit NSF International's CPHE Web site.
Small Farm Food Safety Program: NSF is involved in developing an affordable, technically sound, risk-based program to support small farms and growers throughout the United States. NSF recently trained 15 representatives from Michigan State University's Agricultural Extension Service to provide support assistance to small growers in the State of Michigan.
The Food Epprentice Experience(TM): The Food Epprentice Experience(TM) is a new series of food safety leadership forums designed to bring together Michigan's next generation of food industry leaders to develop solutions that will boost the safety of our food supply and foster economic growth. Paragon Leadership, a leadership development firm, and NSF will host the first one-day forum on October 1, 2009, at NSF International. Additional information can be found on NSF's Web site.
NSF/USDA Food Safety Conference: NSF International and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are teaming up to further educate consumers and industry about the dangers of foodborne illnesses and how to prevent them. The conference will take place March 23-26, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit this Web site for more information on the conference.
NSF Food Safety Leadership Awards Program: NSF International's Food Safety Leadership Awards Program recognizes the extraordinary efforts of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in the food safety industry. Each year nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of jurors, and winners are announced at the Food Safety Summit in Washington, D.C. Click here to see the 2009 winners.
NSF provides services throughout the food industry, including the following segments: produce, seafood, organics, supermarket and foodservice, home and industrial food equipment, food processing and distributing, as well as dietary supplements and bottled beverages.
To learn more about NSF's food safety education services, please visit NSF's Web site.
About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. NSF food safety services deliver assistance to companies in meeting Federal requirements and improving their food safety systems beyond regulation. Companies may select from training and education, auditing, certification, product approval, and registration services. Additional services include safety audits for the water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.
