Excellence in Food Safety Awards

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Steritech’s Excellence in Food Safety Awards are prestigious recognitions given to organizations within the food industry that demonstrate outstanding commitment to food safety practices. These awards honor companies that go above and beyond in implementing food safety protocols, creating a culture of safety within their operations, and ensuring that their products meet the highest safety standards. 

The awards may be presented to industry organizations, food safety associations, or publications focused on the food industry, and the recipients are recognized for their achievements. These awards encourage the adoption of effective food safety measures and reinforce the importance of maintaining a strong safety culture within organizations.

2024 Excellence in Food Safety Awards Winners

At the 2024 EFSA, First Watch won the top honor for their proactive food safety program, which integrates leadership engagement, comprehensive training, and advanced tracking systems. Aramark and Zaxby’s received honorable mentions for their strong food safety cultures, while Cici's Pizza, Hungry Howie's Pizza, Inc., and Wingstop were also recognized as finalists. The awards previously focused solely on the fast-casual sector but have now been expanded to include all food industry verticals.

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Past Winners

2023 Excellence in Food Safety Awards Winners

At the 2023 Fast Casual "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" ceremony, Chipotle was honored with the top award for its comprehensive and proactive food safety program, which emphasizes every level of the supply chain and company operations. MOD Pizza and Five Guys received honorable mentions, with MOD Pizza being recognized for its strong foundation in food safety despite its relatively young age. Five Guys earned its fourth award in five years for its customized and technology-driven food safety initiatives.

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2022 Excellence in Food Safety Awards Winners

At the 2022 EFSA ceremony, Wingstop was honored as the top winner for its robust food safety culture, integrated across its nearly 1,900 locations with the involvement of every team member. Five Guys earned its third award in four years for its customized and tech-driven approach to food safety. Taco Bell received an honorable mention for its continuous improvement efforts, supported by senior leadership and a dedicated food safety team.

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2021 Excellence in Food Safety Awards Winners

Steritech awarded Panda Express the 2021 EFSA at the Fast Casual “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” ceremony. Honorable mentions went to Chipotle for its stringent food quality standards and comprehensive employee training and to MOOYAH Burgers and Fries for its proactive response to COVID-19 and commitment to regular third-party audits.

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The 7 pillars of food safety

To win the Excellence in Food Safety award, nominated brands are evaluated against the 7 Pillars of Food Safety Excellence. Organizations that demonstrate a clear understanding of each pillar and provide practical examples are selected as finalists for further evaluation. The 7 Pillars of Food Safety Excellence provide a comprehensive framework for organizations to build a strong food safety culture and are part of the judging criteria for the awards.

  1. Senior leadership commitment and engagement: Leadership sets the tone for prioritizing food safety, establishing it as a core value.
  2. Food safety communications: Regular, consistent messaging keeps food safety top-of-mind and reinforces expectations.
  3. Defined standards and procedures: Establishes consistent food safety operational practices across locations.
  4. Training: Educates staff on the fundamentals of food safety, helping them understand the importance and impact of their actions.
  5. KPIs/scorecard: Tracks key metrics to monitor and improve food safety performance across the organization.
  6. Oversight program: Continuously monitors and analyzes food safety practices to identify risks and drive improvements.
  7. Positive recognition: Rewards proper food safety behaviors, reinforcing their importance within the company culture.

These pillars collectively help organizations implement successful and sustainable food safety programs.

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Why use Steritech for your food safety consulting 

At Steritech, we bring unparalleled expertise and a proven track record to food safety consulting. Our evaluations deeply analyze your food safety practices, from leadership commitment to employee training, ensuring that every aspect meets the highest standards. 

With our tailored solutions, we provide the credibility and ongoing support you need to achieve and sustain exceptional food safety. Choose Steritech as your trusted partner in maintaining top-notch food safety standards. Contact us today to learn more!

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