From microbiology to mystery hunts: A global showcase of food safety action

On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Newrest teams demonstrated remarkable energy and commitment. The previous article highlighted the winners of the challenge. This follow-up aims to showcase projects that stood out for their relevance, originality, and impact, even though they did not reach the podium.

A tough selection amid strong submissions

The diversity and quality of the actions carried out made the selection particularly challenging. Each submitted project reflected genuine team involvement and a deep understanding of food safety matters. After careful review, several initiatives were recognized for their exemplary nature.

The selected projects were presented by Qatar, Bolivia, France, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia.

The shortlisted projects on World Food Safety Day

Newrest Gulf

Newrest Gulf teams led a dynamic and hands-on initiative to promote food safety awareness.

They organized a field visit to a microbiology laboratory, where participants explored microbial identification and food sample analysis, gaining valuable scientific insight.

To reinforce learning in an engaging way, the teams introduced a game about allergens, food safety quizzes, and a mystery safety hunt. They also delivered a presentation on OPRPs and CCP control to deepen technical understanding. Creativity played a key role as well, with a poster creation contest, a puzzle competition, and even a personalized cake to mark the occasion—making the initiative both educational and memorable.

Food safety in Newrest Bolivia

Newrest Bolivia teams launched a dedicated newsletter to mark the occasion.

Collaborators organized interactive sessions, including a “12-step handwashing” puzzle and a demonstration showing the efficiency of soap against pepper, an engaging way to visualize hygiene principles.

To reinforce key messages, the teams distributed food safety-themed goodies and created a fun, informative environment for all participants.

Newrest France

To celebrate World Food Safety Day, Newrest France organized a dynamic series of activities. Participants kicked off the day with a brain-teasing word puzzle, then they were divided into two groups. The teams competed in a dynamic workshop focused on cocktail ingredients and allergen identification. Each team faced a mix of 4 true and 4 false non-negotiables (NN), racing to correctly classify them. The activity ended with a quiz.

Participants also took part in an escape game as OSA agents, explored microbiology at a microscope stand, learned about product aging, joined a photo challenge on EPI, and faced a “Nightmare in the Kitchen” scenario.

This event was a fun and educational way to promote food safety awareness.

Newrest New Caledonia

To mark World Food Safety Day, the New Caledonia team organized an engaging and educational program. The day featured a Food Safety Bingo, where participants tested their knowledge through a fun Q&A format.

For the very first time, innovative and informative presentations were delivered by key partners such as:

The Health and Social Affairs Government Office (on the health impact of foodborne illness);
VEGA, a supplier of cleaning and disinfection products (on cleaning products and disinfection procedures);
AGROCONTROL Laboratory (on microorganisms and microbiological analysis);
The New Caledonian health authorities (on microorganisms and microbiological analysis);
The local veterinary services (on Caledonian regulations regarding food safety).

Newrest French Polynesia: Toa and the food safety

For the 2025 World Food Safety Day on June 7, the QHSSE team in Polynesia embraced the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action” by exploring how new technologies can support food safety.

They developed two initiatives: a digital gaming platform to learn about pathogenic bacteria (with modules on basics, quizzes, and a memory game), and an animation illustrating the consequences of poor practices through bacteria and non-compliant agar plates. An interactive animation was presented with the help of Toa, the not-so-model employee who doesn’t understand hygiene. The goal was to show the consequences of poor practices by linking each action to a specific bacterium and a non-compliant agar plate, making the invisible visible!

These initiatives combined science, creativity, and humor to raise awareness and promote food safety in a meaningful and memorable way.

These standout initiatives from across the Newrest network reflect the creativity, scientific rigor, and team spirit that define our commitment to food safety. Even beyond the winners, each project contributed meaningfully to raising awareness and driving action—proving that every idea, big or small, can make a lasting impact.

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