DuPont Nutrition & Health Hosts 8th Annual Food Quality Award Presentation

The 8th annual Food Quality Award presentation and reception was recently hosted by DuPont Nutrition & Health during the Food Safety Summit in Washington, D.C. The event honored Fieldale Farms Further Processing division in Baldwin, Ga., as the 2008 winner of the Food Quality award. The evening also provided over 300 people with an opportunity to network and hear insightful commentary on food safety from the Costco perspective.

Sponsored by DuPont Nutrition & Health and presented by Food Quality Magazine, the annual Food Quality Award recognizes a North American Quality Assurance/Quality Control department or program that has made significant improvements in food safety and quality with a positive impact on business results. Fieldale Farms Further Processing Division was selected this year for its ongoing commitment and investment in infrastructure, equipment, technology and personnel. This winner joins an elite group of past honorees, including West Liberty Foods LLC, Hormel Foods, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), Tyson Food Safety & Lab Services, SYSCO Corporation, Franklin Foods, Hygaard Fine Foods Ltd. and East Balt Commissary, Inc. of Chicago.

'We're honored to recognize superb achievements in the food industry because we believe in our responsibility to promote a culture of food safety and quality around the world,' said Luiz Fischmann, global marketing manager -- DuPont Nutrition & Health.

Accepting the award on behalf of Fieldale Farms Further Processing was Dan White, manager of food safety and quality assurance, and Mark Wright, national accounts sales manager. Headquartered in Baldwin, Ga., Fieldale Farms is a leading private label manufacturer and food service supplier of poultry products. Following an acceptance speech, White and Wright showed a short video that highlighted best practices from the award-winning company.

A keynote address was given by Craig Wilson, assistant vice president and general merchandising manager of food safety and quality assurance for Costco Wholesale Corporation. Wilson shared insights on how Costco and other large companies can maintain focus on food safety despite the challenges of the current economic climate.

Rick Biros, founding publisher of Food Quality Magazine and Marcos Cantharino, global sales and marketing director, DuPont Nutrition & Health, co-presented the award. Beckyjo Smith, North American business manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health, served as the evening's emcee.

DuPont Nutrition & Health provides innovative, science-based diagnostic products for the food industry. Food processing companies around the world rely on the BAX® system to detect pathogens or other organisms in raw ingredients, finished products and environmental samples. The automated system uses leading-edge technology, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, tableted reagents and optimized media to also detect Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Enterobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio and yeast and mold. With certifications and regulatory approvals in the Americas, Asia and Europe, the BAX® system is recognized globally as the most advanced pathogen testing system available to food companies.