WASHINGTON – Twenty Chinese food-safety officials visited the National Restaurant Association on Dec. 6 to learn about the US restaurant industry's efforts to protect customers. NRA representatives explained how the association and restaurant industry work with federal, state and municipal agencies in the US to influence food safety guidelines and regulations. They also discussed the association's ServSafe food safety training and certification program.

The most recent ServSafe Essentials book is available in simplified Mandarin, among other languages.


Early in 2011, the association plans to launch a new edition specifically for China. The new ServSafe Essentials will include Chinese food-safety laws and regulations. It will include the book, a slide presentation and a China-specific exam.

Visiting Chinese officials represented national, provincial and municipal food and drug administrations. They were escorted by executives from Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver's.

Mainland China is the Louisville, Ky.-based company's leading market for new restaurant development. NRA member Yum! Brands operates more than 3,000 restaurants in about 650 Chinese cities.

Ecolab partners with the NRA to deliver food-safety training in China, as well as in other countries throughout the world.