ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec 01, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ecolab Inc. announced today that it has entered into a sole distributor
partnership with the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and obtained
the exclusive rights to offer the ServSafe(R) Food Safety
Program to the restaurant and hospitality industries outside North
America. ServSafe(R) is a national food safety certification
program recognized by more federal, state and local health jurisdictions
than any other initiative of its kind in the United States.
"With the growing globalization of the world's food supply, it's more
important than ever that restaurants everywhere employ food safety best
practices throughout their operations," said Douglas M. Baker, Jr.,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecolab. "With
sales-and-service specialists working all across the globe, we are
uniquely positioned to offer this training. By obtaining the exclusive
rights to market the ServSafe(R) program internationally,
Ecolab is again taking a leadership position in offering the best food
safety training available to the restaurant industry and continuing our
commitment to helping create a cleaner, safer, healthier world."
Created by the industry, for the industry, the ServSafe(R) Food
Safety Program is administered by the National Restaurant Association
and includes training and assessment materials that deliver consistent
food safety training to employees in five key areas: Basic Food Safety,
Personal Hygiene, Cross-contamination & Allergens, Time & Temperature,
and Cleaning & Sanitation.
"We are extremely pleased to be expanding and strengthening our
relationship with Ecolab under this new agreement," said Dawn Sweeney,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant
Association. "With Ecolab's existing international business network, the
National Restaurant Association will now be able to expand our
educational and food safety best practices on a global scale and enhance
the restaurant industry's service to the public worldwide."
Since the ServSafe(R) program's introduction in 1974, the U.S.
restaurant industry has trained and certified over 3.5 million
foodservice professionals.
About Ecolab
With sales of $6 billion and more than 26,000 associates, Ecolab Inc.
(NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety
and infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers
comprehensive programs and services to foodservice, food and beverage
processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than 160
countries. More news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.
About the National Restaurant Association
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading
business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of
945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 13
million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America's
restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and
participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more
information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.
(ECL-C)
SOURCE: Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc.
Jennifer Kirscher, 651-293-2846
Copyright Business Wire 2009