Schnucks to receive award for food safety, quality

ST. LOUIS An international food-safety organization will award a Midwestern supermarket chain to recognize its focus on food safety and quality.

The International Association for Food Protection, which comprises more than 3,400 food safety officials from 50 countries, will give St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets its 2009 Black Pearl award for “corporate excellence” in food safety and quality at its annual conference in Dallas in July.

“The Black Pearl is a tremendous for our company and for our food safety team and one we are pleased to share with associates, suppliers, vendors and health department partners across seven states,” Schnucks chairmand and CEO Scott Schnuck stated. “Their combined talents and willingness to acquire and share knowledge has helped us grow tremendously in efforts to protect the health and welfare of our customers.”

In other news, Schnucks announced that director of food safety Dianna Pasley would serve as chairwoman for the Food Marketing Institute’s Food Protection Committee, which addresses food-safety issues and legislation at the national level. The company did not mention how long Pasley’s term would last.