The Joint Industry Safety & Health Council recognized six poultry facilities with the Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
The facilities were recognized for a significant advancement in operational excellence in a safety and/or health innovation.
“It is inspiring to witness companies introducing creative and effective initiatives to enhance safety within their operations, and we are proud to acknowledge these six organizations for their commitment to this important goal,” said Allan Foy, corporate director of safety, Farbest Foods, and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council.
The six facilities receiving the awards are:
Tyson Foods, Monett, Mo., processing plant
Case Farms, Winesburg, Ohio, processing plant
Culver Duck Farms, Middlebury, Ind., processing plant
Farbest Foods, Vincennes, Ind., processing plant
Darling Ingredients, Las Vegas, Nev., facility
Perdue Farms, Concord, N.C., Processing facility
The award is named in honor of Frank Cruice, retired senior director of corporate safety and security for Perdue, and a longtime member of the council. Award applications were entered in the industry categories of Poultry Processing, Poultry & Egg Production, Animal Feed Manufacturing, Animal Support Services and Rendering. Awards were issued for both a process-based innovation and an equipment-based innovation. A panel of judges determined the award winners for each category.
The council consists of members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95% of the nation's poultry products and directly employ more than 350,000 workers.