The restaurant industry holds a long-standing commitment to food safety training, and new National Restaurant Association (NRA) research shows that consumers overwhelmingly value that commitment. To highlight the importance of food safety, the NRA will hold its National Food Safety Month (NFSM) campaign this September with the theme "Be Safe, Don't Cross-Contaminate." Now in its 18^th year, NFSM 2012 offers free resources for both foodservice industry professionals and home cooks at www.FoodSafetyMonth.com.

New NRA research shows that the majority of consumers find food safety important both at restaurants and at home. According to an August 2012 survey of 1,015 American adults, 96% say it is important to them to know that the restaurants they visit train employees in food safety. In addition, 81% say they would be more likely to visit a restaurant that trains all its employees in proper food safety practices.

When it comes to cooking at home, virtually all consumers say they have at least basic knowledge of food safety. Sixty-three percent say they are aware of proper food safety practices and always follow them, while 33% say they are familiar with some food safety practices and follow those when they can.

"Food safety is a priority year-round for the nation's nearly one million restaurant and foodservice outlets and we celebrate that commitment with September's National Food Safety Month," says Paul Hineman, executive vice president of the National Restaurant Association. "Our industry serves 130 million guests daily, making food safety training critical for restaurant employees. But, practicing food safety at home is just as important, which is why we're also providing tips for home cooks through this year's campaign."

NFSM highlights components of the NRA's ServSafe Food Safety program – the leading source of food safety training and certification for restaurant and foodservice industry professionals for nearly 40 years, with more than 5 million certifications issued. Because ServSafe is developed by the NRA, proceeds go toward helping improve the foodservice industry through research and education.

The NRA's survey showed that 76% of consumers say they would be more confident in a restaurant that displays food safety training certificates in public areas. Currently, 37% have ever noticed food safety training certificates displayed in restaurants; younger consumers are much more likely to have noticed such certificates, as 49% of 18 to 44-year olds say they have seen food safety certifications displayed, compared with only 21% of consumers age 55 and above.