ST. PAUL, Minn., May 07, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ecolab Inc. and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) announced
today that they are working together to create an industry response
program that addresses the H1N1 influenza virus that has impacted the
United States, and countries across the globe, as well as pandemic
preparedness. The program will be officially unveiled at the annual
National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show, May 16-19
in Chicago, Ill.
"Ecolab has always been a strong supporter of the National Restaurant
Association, and it is critical that we support the restaurant industry
in its search for tools and advice on preventing the spread of the H1N1
influenza virus," said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Chairman of the Board,
President and CEO of Ecolab. "Our public health experts are key
contributors to the tools and programs Ecolab has launched to our
customers in response to this public health outbreak and now we want to
share that information with National Restaurant Association members."
"The National Restaurant Association takes the responsibility of
providing guidance and resource to the restaurant and foodservice
industry very seriously, so that operators can be prepared if a public
health threat arises," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the
National Restaurant Association. "We are pleased that Ecolab has offered
to share its expertise, which will benefit NRA Show attendees and the
community of businesses they represent."
The H1N1 response program kicks off with a pre-National Restaurant
Association Show webinar on May 7. Beth Johnson, Executive Vice
President of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, and
Dr. Bruce Cords, Vice President of Environment, Food Safety & Public
Health at Ecolab, will lead the event, aimed at helping restaurant
owners and operators minimize their risks when dealing with influenza. A
90-minute educational seminar will follow at the NRA Show on Saturday,
May 16, and include tools and tips for preventing the spread of the
Influenza A virus.
In conjunction with Ecolab's efforts, the National Restaurant
Association will sponsor a Pandemic Preparedness booth staffed by
experts, including those from Ecolab. The booth will offer training
videos and materials that encourage proper hand hygiene, hard surface
cleaning and other preventative measures restaurants can take for all
types of public health situations.
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 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
or
National Restaurant Association
Sue Hensley, 202-331-5964
Copyright Business Wire 2009