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, OH, Processing Plant 
Culver Duck Farms, Middlebury, IN, Processing Plant 
Farbest Foods, Vincennes, IN, Processing Plant 
Darling Ingredients, Las Vegas, NV, Facility 
Perdue Farms, Concord, NC, Processing Facility

The Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award is named in honor of Frank Cruice, retired senior director of corporate safety and security for Perdue, and a longtime member of the Joint Industry Safety & Health Council. Award applications were entered in the industry categories of Poultry Processing (NAICS 311615), Poultry & Egg Production (NAICS 1123), Animal Feed Manufacturing (NAICS 311119), Animal Support Services (NAICS 115210) and Rendering (NAICS 311613). 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 Joint Industry Safety & Health 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The individual 2025 Joint Industry Safety & Health Council Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award photos have been saved to a Google Drive account and can be downloaded here.