You are here

Food Safety

Handling the food that others will eat is a big responsibility. Ensure the good health of your patrons, your staff – and your business – and be proactive about implementing and adhering to the highest food safety standards.  RAMW seeks to increase food and alcohol safety/security in the restaurant industry through training and certification.

RAMW is a staunch advocate for food and alcohol safety and security in the regional restaurant industry. The Association offers several training courses that give your staff the required certification to become licensed food safety managers and will educate you or your staff about food safety and the prevention of food borne illnesses. We will also work to keep you informed of any changes in the licensing process, as well as new laws and regulations introduced by regulatory agencies in Virginia, DC and Maryland.


ServSafe Offers Free Courses & Videos On Safe Practices for Takeout & Delivery

March 26, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association The goal is to help operators and their employees practice safe food handling and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic. For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice employees to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests while also keeping themselves safe. This mission is as important as ever during the service disruptions caused by the coronavirus. ServSafe is offering free resources to restaurateurs focusing on takeout and delivery during the coronavirus crisis. The goal is to...

Free ServSafe Training & VA Updates 3/25

March 25, 2020
Dear Operator, We wanted to share some helpful end of day updates as well as resources and opportunities for education, support and relief. As you have any questions please email coronavirus@ramw.org and we will get back to you with a timely response. Complimentary ServSafe Training As the industry faces ongoing challenges with COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association remains dedicated to helping everyone stay safe. ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe...

UPDATES FOR INDUSTRY - Business Relief, Community Needs, Worker Relief

March 15, 2020
NOTE TO OUR COMMUNITY Some of you reading this are members, others are not, but all are worried about your business and employees given the current situation. We understand, we are worried too, however you should feel confident that in difficult times, which this industry has faced before, we have prevailed best when we come together as a community and face it head on. We urge you to stay strong, stay clear-minded, and know that you are not alone in this. We are working for you, and there are many efforts in motion. Understanding that you are concerned about your business and employees right...

How the Restaurant Industry is Responding to COVID-19

March 13, 2020
Original content c/o: James Beard Foundation Plus resources for diners, restaurateurs, and chefs The James Beard Foundation is acutely aware of the health and safety concerns surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic. We are also mindful of how this virus is negatively impacting the hospitality industry at large, both from a well-being and economic standpoint. Novel coronavirus COVID-19 is pushing the restaurant industry to think creatively as travel bans are put into place, cities cancel conventions, and events are postponed until the summer. It’s been great to see the open sharing of...

Real Time DC Updates on Coronavirus

March 13, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger Dear DC Restaurant Members, We are in a quickly evolving situation and would like to provide you with a quick real time update from DC Mayor Muriel Bower as of 4pm Friday afternoon. 1. At this time, the DC government has banned gatherings of 250 or more people. The Department of Health has indicated that this applies to restaurants with banquet halls and large private event spaces. Restaurants that can accommodate 250 people do not have to change operations at this time, as long as the 250 are broken up into smaller...

Coronavirus Update: Consumer Messaging, Social Media, and More

March 11, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger Dear RAMW Members, We are hearing from many of you who are requesting suggested communication and messaging to share with diners across social media platforms and through signage you can post in your restaurants and at the host stand. We encourage you to share your enhanced cleanliness and sanitation practices with your customers. RAMW is in the process of creating sample collateral now and we will send you materials soon. Please stay tuned. If you choose to create your own messaging, it is advised industry-wide that...

IMPORTANT Restaurant Coronavirus Updates

March 9, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger We know Restaurant Members are receiving a lot of emails regarding coronavirus, so we want to cut through the noise, and provide you with pertinent information specific to the restaurant and foodservice industry. Please be aware that w e are in discussion with the city on the creation of a relief fund or other mechanisms of support that can be provided to help preserve the financial health and economy of our local industry. As there are new developments daily, it is crucial that you are receiving information from us in...

IMPORTANT Restaurant Coronavirus Updates

March 3, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger As of March 2, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington, DC or the metro region. We are in constant conversation with relevant government agencies, lodging and hospitality partners and the National Restaurant Association to ensure we have the most up to date information, to then share a plan of action with our members and the restaurant community. What You Should Focus On Right Now Our goal is to provide you with information and tools that might assist with your planning and...

If the Coronavirus Spreads in America, Food Delivery Companies Could See a Surge in Demand — Are They Ready?

March 2, 2020
Original content c/o: MarketWatch People who isolate themselves with ‘social distancing measures’ would still need food From movie chains to luxury retailers, the coronavirus could cut into earnings for many consumer-facing companies if the virus that’s infected more than 82,000 people worldwide escalates in America and forces consumers to stay home. Chinese workers in February carrying a cart of vegetables meant as groceries for nearby residents. Photo Credit: GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images Yet bottom lines could go in the opposite direction for companies with food...

How Restaurants Can Prepare for a Coronavirus Pandemic

February 28, 2020
Original content c/o: Restaurant Business Magazine As virus fears grip the country, experts stress planning and good food safety practices to reduce risk. As coronavirus fears gripped the world this week, more attention has focused on challenges restaurants often face in keeping sick workers home — and how that could exacerbate the spread of a virus many experts believe is destined to become a global pandemic. Photo credit: Shutterstock As of Friday, there were 82,294 confirmed cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, worldwide, the vast majority of them in China, according to the World...

Pages