Food Marketing Institute presented its inaugural Food Safety Innovation Award to Publix Super Markets recently. The award, in conjunction with the International Food Protection Training Institute, is for demonstrating a commitment to the advancement of food protection through performance, practice, creation, sustainability and leadership.

"We created this award to recognize companies that have made an innovative contribution and commitment to food safety and to encourage others in the industry, government and academia to search for creative solutions and implement new practices in continuing to keep our food the safest it can be," says Hilary Thesmar, chief food and product safety officer and senior vice president of food safety programs for FMI.

Publix garnered recognition for its achievement at a Capitol Hill reception honoring IFPTI senior fellows.

"The award committee concurred that Publix maintains the highest standards for food safety, and the company's commitment transcends supply chain, distribution facilities, retail stores and customer education," Thesmar says. "Publix understands that food safety is a shared responsibility and effectively collaborates with its association in addition to government agencies."