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Every September, the U.S. observes National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM). Established in 1994, this month-long event was designed to raise awareness of safe food handling practices and reduce foodborne illness.
In 2025, NFSEM continues to shine a spotlight on everyday practices that keep food safe: handwashing, preventing contamination, storing food at proper temperatures and knowing when to stay home if sick.
While promoted nationally, the campaign is most impactful at the local level – when food workers, managers and businesses bring the message into their kitchens and communities.
Explore Food Safety Education Month 2025
We have pulled together a helpful summary of everything you need to know about Food Safety Education Month. Click any of the links below to learn more about the topics that interest you most:
Why Food Safety Education Month Matters
Weekly Themes for Food Safety Education Month 2025
How You Can Participate in Food Safety Education Month 2025
Food Safety Education: Food Protection Manager Program
Tips for Businesses to Recognize Food Safety Education Month
How Food Safety Training Benefits Your Career
Why Food Safety Education Month Matters
Foodborne illness is a serious issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food or drinks each year. For businesses, even one outbreak can damage reputations, lead to fines or cause closures.
For workers, the impact is personal. Food safety training helps prevent accidents, protect customers and build confidence in the workplace. Having the right certifications, such as a Food Handler Card or Food Protection Manager certification, not only keeps you compliant but also makes you more employable in a competitive job market.
Weekly Themes for Food Safety Education Month 2025
To help food workers and businesses make the most of the month, Userve has created a week-by-week guide to NFSEM 2025. Each week focuses on one essential area of food safety, encouraging everyone to refresh their understanding of key policies and procedures in their workplace.
Week 1: It Starts With You
Hand hygiene and personal responsibility:
- Focus on proper hand washing technique (20 seconds with soap and warm water)
- When to wash: before handling food, after touching raw meat, after using the restroom and after breaks
- Familiarize yourself with policies around working while ill and when to stay home when sick
Week 2: Stop the Spread
Preventing contamination:
- Review safe storage practices (separating raw and ready-to-eat foods)
- Use color-coded cutting boards and utensils for raw vs. cooked products
- Emphasize the importance of cleaning and sanitizing between tasks
Week 3: The Heat Is On
Cooking and holding temperatures:
- Refresh knowledge of correct internal cooking temperatures for meat, poultry and seafood
- Review hot-holding and cold-holding requirements
- Encourage consistent and safe use of food thermometers
Week 4: Safe Spaces, Safe Food
Cleaning, sanitizing and food storage:
- Revisit cleaning schedules for equipment, counters and utensils.
- Refresh understanding of proper chemical use and safe storage of cleaning supplies.
- Review “first in, first out” (FIFO) for rotating stock to prevent expired food from being served
By following these weekly themes, teams can transform September into a structured training opportunity rather than just a reminder.
To help you make the most of it, Userve will be releasing dedicated weekly blogs packed with practical tips, insights and resources to help bring each theme to life. Be sure to check back regularly for the latest updates.
How You Can Participate in Food Safety Education Month 2025
Refresh your food safety knowledge
Even if you already hold a valid Food Handler Card, September is a reminder to revisit the basics. Review key food safety procedures such as hand washing, cleaning and sanitizing workstations and safe cooking temperatures.
Take part in team activities and awareness campaigns
Throughout the industry, organisations mark the month with activities such as food safety quizzes, poster contests and role-play exercises. These simple initiatives help make food safety education engaging while reinforcing essential skills.
Earn or renew a certification
If your food safety certification is expiring soon, or you’re just starting in the food industry, NFSEM is the perfect time to get certified. Userve makes it easy to complete training online, at your own pace and from any device.
Food Safety Education: Food Protection Manager Program
For supervisors and managers, Food Protection Manager certification demonstrates advanced knowledge of HACCP principles, foodborne illness prevention and how to train staff effectively. This certification is recognized by most U.S. health departments and is often mandatory for managers on duty.
Having a certified food manager not only meets regulations but also strengthens a business’s food safety culture from the top down.
Tips for Businesses to Recognize Food Safety Education Month
Food safety is a team effort, and businesses can make NFSEM a highlight by:
- Hosting weekly micro-training focused on specific safety practices.
- Recognizing staff who demonstrate excellent food safety habits
- Running a “Safe Plate Challenge” where teams compete to identify potential risks in mock scenarios
- Posting infographics or tip sheets in kitchens and break rooms
- Sharing your commitment on social media using hashtags like #FoodSafetyEducationMonth to highlight your brand’s dedication to health and safety
How Food Safety Training Benefits Your Career
Beyond compliance, food safety training helps workers build lasting skills. Employers prefer hiring candidates who are already certified, since it reduces onboarding time. Certifications like Food Handler and Food Protection Manager also demonstrate professionalism and responsibility – traits that can help workers move into supervisory or management roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Food Safety Education Month 2025?
NFSEM will take place throughout September 2025 across the United States.
Do food workers need to be certified during Food Safety Education Month?
Not specifically, but it’s an ideal time to earn or renew certifications such as Food Handler or Food Protection Manager.
How long does a Food Handler Certificate last?
In most states, Food Handler Cards are valid for 2 to 3 years, but rules vary by jurisdiction.
Can employers use Food Safety Education Month for staff training?
Yes. Many businesses schedule group training, refresher sessions,or team activities in September to mark the occasion.
Is there a theme for National Food Safety Education Month 2025?
Userve has announced weekly themes for National Food Safety Education Month 2025.
- Week 1: It Starts With You (Hand Hygiene & Personal Responsibility)
- Week 2: Stop the Spread (Preventing Contamination)
- Week 3: The Heat Is On (Cooking & Holding Temperatures)
- Week 4: Safe Spaces, Safe Food (Cleaning, Sanitizing & Food Storage)
Userve: Here to Support Your Food Safety Education
Userve provides online food safety programs, insights and resources to help you put food safety first. Build confidence on the job, meet regulatory requirements and keep consumers safe all year round by getting all the educational support you need.
