National Restaurant Association, ServSafe Launch National Food Safety Month Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This September, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and ServSafe are turning up the heat on food safety with a new campaign for National Food Safety Month (NFSM) 2025: "Food Safety's Most Wanted: How to Identify, Avoid, and Prevent the Top Violations."

Food safety's "most wanted" are responsible for everything from foodborne illness outbreaks to failed inspections, said the NRA. Each week in September, the campaign will help identify the culprit, understand its risks and prevent repeat offenses. By personifying the most common food safety violations as outlaw characters, like The Greasy Spoon and The Contaminator, on the loose in restaurant kitchens, each week will spotlight a different "culprit," with the aim of helping foodservice teams recognize and stop these violations before they cause harm.

"Food safety is a foundation of trust between restaurants and their guests," said Sherman Brown, executive vice president of business services for the NRA. "Training is essential to creating a culture where safety is second nature. That's why we're excited to launch this year's campaign with a fresh, visual approach that makes learning engaging and memorable. Customer safety is our first priority, and National Food Safety Month is a powerful reminder of that commitment."

Weekly Breakdown.

Week 1. Inadequate Cleaning and Sanitization: Learn how to spot sanitation failures and the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.

Week 2. Contamination and Cross-Contamination: Learn the science between outbreaks and get a 3-legged approach guide to food handling.

Week 3. Poor Personal Hygiene: Good hygiene starts with constant reminders, and this week goes beyond proper handwashing.

Week 4. Improper Temperature Control: You have to know when to hold them and how to log them, because time and temperature play a major role in food safety during service.

Week 5. Wrap-up: With bonus violations and a guide to building a lasting culture of food safety.

Each week includes educational resources, prevention tools and leadership guidance to help food establishments stay vigilant. From posters and quizzes to shift meeting briefs, the campaign offers everything operators need to train teams and reinforce best practices, said the NRA.

NFSM 2025 also features a special offer for participants and a full suite of downloadable assets. To join the campaign and receive weekly updates, visit foodsafetyfocus.com.