The Oxoid Awards are designed to reward the companies, laboratories and individuals who ensure that our food is safe to eat. Last year, Young's Bluecrest Seafood Ltd won Oxoid Laboratory of the Year and are seen here receiving their prize from Oxoid's CEO Mike Smith (pictured centre). The 2004/2005 Oxoid Awards are now open for entry and there are three prize categories:

Oxoid Laboratory Technician of the Year - the first prizewinner will receive £1000, a trip to the 2005 International Association of Food Protection Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, and a commemorative trophy. Second and third prizewinners will receive framed certificates of merit.

Oxoid Laboratory of the Year - for this Award entries are welcome from all types of laboratories that are involved in food hygiene and safety. So if you are an in-house, contract or public laboratory that is really making a difference to standards of food hygiene and safety, this your opportunity to be recognised. The first prize in this category is £500, second and third prizewinners will receive framed certificates of merit.

The Judges' Special Award - in previous years the Judges found that some entries did not meet the criteria for Laboratory Technician of the Year or Laboratory of the Year, but were worthy of special mention. So for 2004/2005 Oxoid has introduced The Judges' Special Award. The winner will receive £500 and a commemorative trophy.

The Awards are easy to enter. For full details please contact Jennifer Laidlaw, Awards Manager, contact details are at the top of this page.