Foodservice operators across the globe come together to recognise Worldwide Food Service Safety Month each year in December. This is an annual reminder of the essential role that food safety plays in protecting public health, supporting trust within the hospitality sector, and ensuring that every meal served meets the highest professional standards.
For kitchens, caterers, manufacturers, and hospitality operators, food safety is far more than a regulatory requirement. It is a culture, a shared responsibility, and a cornerstone of consistent, high-quality service. Whether a single-site café or manage a multinational food operation, the commitment to safe food handling unites the industry.
Understanding what food safety means, and who upholds it, is crucial to maintaining this commitment. This month provides an opportunity not only to strengthen your own systems but also to acknowledge the national and European bodies whose work sets the foundation for safe food across the continent.
Food Safety Matters More Than Ever
Food safety protocols protect consumers from food-borne illness, contamination, mislabelling, and improper storage. With busy teams, high turnover, and complex supply chains, even small lapses can cause major consequences. That’s why robust systems, such as documented processes, accurate labelling, HACCP plans, and operational checklists, are vital.
Many kitchens begin with first principles: what is HACCP?
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a structured approach to identifying risks and managing them before they pose a threat. It’s the global foundation for food safety, and many key foodservice documents, from HACCP labels to digital temperature logs, exist to support this framework.
Regulators across Europe use HACCP principles as the baseline for maintaining public safety, particularly during assessments such as an EHO inspection, where environmental health officers evaluate everything from processes and cleanliness to record-keeping and staff training. Tools such as a health and safety checklist or a food hygiene inspection checklist UK kitchens rely on can help teams maintain compliance not only during audit season but consistently throughout the year.
Recognising Europe’s Food Safety Authorities
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month is an ideal moment to highlight and thank the organisations who safeguard our sector. These bodies create the standards, science, and guidance that ensure food safety is upheld at every stage from farm fork (and everything, from prep to service, in between).
NCCO International proudly recognises the leadership and ongoing work of:
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) – United Kingdom
- DGAL & ANSES – France
- BVL – Germany
- Italian Ministry of Health – DGISAN – Italy
- AESAN – Spain
- NVWA – Netherlands
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – European Union
These agencies provide critical direction, conduct research, shape policies, and perform regulatory oversight. Their efforts help food businesses operate responsibly, respond to emerging risks, and create safer dining experiences for millions of people every day.
At NCCO International, we share this commitment. Compliance, clarity, and reliable processes form the foundation of our work, and we are proud to align with the standards created by these authorities.
Strengthening Your Own Food Safety Culture
Recognising the importance of these regulatory bodies naturally leads to a reflection on our own operations. Foodservice teams can strengthen internal food safety culture with:
- Clear processes and documentation
- Consistent labelling and rotation systems
- Accurate temperature monitoring and record-keeping
- Staff training and refresher sessions
- Regular internal audits and checklist reviews
For busy kitchens, maintaining these standards requires practical systems and tools that are simple to use and easy for staff to follow.
How NCCO International Supports Safer, More Organised Operations
Food safety has been at the heart of NCCO International’s mission for decades. We equip kitchens with practical tools that support compliance, organisation, and efficiency, including:
Task Manager
A digital solution for creating and managing operational checklists, ideal for maintaining consistency during EHO inspections or daily safety routines. Also offering remote temperature monitoring so you can stay atop of fridge checks from afar and a digital library of food safety paperwork, including HACCP paperwork, it’s an all-in-one tool designed specifically to help maintain high food safety standards.
Whether you’re implementing a health and safety checklist or conducting internal audits, Task Manager helps teams stay aligned and accountable.
Food Rotation Labelling
Our range of food safety labels, from HACCP labels to removable, dissolvable, and colour-coded options, help teams maintain clarity and accuracy in food rotation, an essential element of any HACCP plan.
Custom labels for all your food safety needs
FIFO (First In, First Out) Innovations
Our FIFO product range helps kitchens reduce waste, maintain stock visibility, and ensure correct rotation, reinforcing safety as well as efficiency.
These tools simplify compliance, reduce risk, and support staff at every level, allowing teams to focus on what they do best: delivering excellent food safely.
Streamline your FIFO operations today
Standing Together for a Safer Foodservice Industry
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month is a timely reminder of the responsibilities we share across our industry. From regulatory bodies to individual operators, every contribution strengthens the chain of food safety.
NCCO International is proud to acknowledge the organisations that lead this work across Europe and to support kitchens with the tools and systems that bring food safety principles to life every day. For more information about NCCO’s food safety solutions, or to speak with our team, please reach out, we’re here to help kitchens stay compliant, organised, and confident all year round.