US Foods expects to be first national foodservice distributor in U.S. to be certified in food safety, quality to International Featured Standard

Nevin Barich

ROSEMONT, Illinois , January 26, 2012 (press release) – Today US Foods, one of the country's most innovative food companies and distributors, announced that it expects to be the first national foodservice distributor in the country to be certified in food safety and quality to the International Featured Standard (IFS), a globally recognized standard for safety and quality. US Foods selected NSF International to certify each of the company's 60 distribution facilities across the country.

"Nothing is more important than the safety, quality and integrity of the food we deliver to customers and they serve to diners, so we're committed to certifying every one of our distribution centers to demonstrate our continuing leadership in food safety and quality assurance," said Jorge Hernandez, senior vice president of food safety and quality assurance, US Foods.

The food safety and quality certification process is already underway at several US Foods distribution centers and all facilities are expected to be certified by the end of 2013.

IFS Logistics is part of a food and non-food supply chain standards family that includes IFS Food, which is benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the world's leading authority on food safety.

"We are pleased to welcome US Foods to the IFS family of safety and quality standards for food and non-food supply chain activities," says Stephan Tromp, IFS Managing Director. "Their decision to apply IFS Logistics will enhance the company's ability to provide customers with safe, quality food and non-food products consistently while developing operational efficiencies. Customers will know that US Foods operations, products and services meet the highest standards of safety and quality in the world."

NSF International is one of the most recognized and respected third-party food safety certification providers.

"NSF International is delighted to be chosen by US Foods in this ground-breaking project to certify their facilities over the next year and to support their continuous improvement program. We are proud of our almost 70 year history of protecting public health through food safety," said Robert Prevendar, director of supply chain food safety for NSF International.

About US Foods
With nearly $19 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America, and a leading foodservice distributor. Many of the entities that make up US Foods were founded in the 19th century, including one that sold provisions to travelers heading west during the 1850s gold rush. US Foods offers more than 350,000 national brand products and its own high-quality "exclusive brand" items, ranging from fresh meats and produce to prepared and frozen foods. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide, and provides the finest quality food and related products to more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.

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