Nine Foster Farms facilities across five states have received the Award of Distinction from the Joint Industry Safety and Health Council, recognizing their outstanding employee safety records. The awards were presented at the 2015 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council evaluated each facility based on three years of injury statistics and written applications detailing their safety programs. The Award of Distinction is the highest recognition given by the council.
Facilities honored include the Corndog Plant in Demopolis, Alabama; Feed Mill in Emmett, Arkansas; Cooked Chicken and Processing plants in Turlock, California; Processing plant in Fresno, California; Feed Mill in Delta, Colorado; Hatchery in Athens, Louisiana; and Cooked Chicken and Processing plants in Farmerville, Louisiana.
James Ferrell, corporate manager of risk at Foster Farms, said: “We are dedicated to maintaining a safe working environment for our employees. The conditions to qualify for this distinction were even more rigorous this year, and we are proud to be recognized as leading our industry in employee safety. We are grateful to our employees who work hard to improve safety at each facility.” Foster Farms employs over 12,000 people nationwide.
Industry-wide data shows that illness and injury rates have dropped significantly over recent decades. According to the National Chicken Council, there has been an 80 percent decrease since 1994.
Foster Farms has been operating since 1939 as a family-owned business specializing in fresh chicken products without preservatives or additives. Based in California’s Central Valley with operations also in the Pacific Northwest, Foster Farms supplies fresh chicken throughout its served regions within 48 hours of production. The company also produces pre-marinated and fully cooked poultry products.
Food safety remains a top priority for Foster Farms. The company advises consumers to follow safe handling guidelines when preparing poultry and recommends cooking all fresh poultry products to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer.
The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council includes members from major trade associations such as the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council (NCC), and National Turkey Federation. These groups represent most of the nation’s poultry production sector.
For more information about Foster Farms’ products or food safety practices visit www.fosterfarms.com. Details about the council’s awards can be found through the National Chicken Council website.
