Uni-chains Mfg. Inc. has announced its patented uni MBP closed-top belt has become the first and only modular plastic belt to be issued the USDA Equipment Acceptance Certificate for meeting the NSF hygiene requirements standard in meat and poultry processing. The certification covers the uni MPB Single Lock™ and bricklayed belts, Product Supports and Sideguards, and Sprockets.

The International Association for Food Protection has named DuPont as the 2005 recipient of the Black Pearl Award. The honor is given to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and the support of the goals and objectives of the Association.

“Coupling more than 200 years of safety knowledge with our unique product innovations has made the food industry one of our largest business sectors, with 10 core business areas focused on the food value chain,” said Charles Holliday Jr., DuPont chairman and chief executive officer. “Safety is the foundation of DuPont, and our food business is backed by our core value that safety is integral to everything we do.”

Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F&H Food Equipment Co., the Black Pearl Award will be presented at the IAFP Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, in August.

The Institute of Food Technologists’ 2005 Congressional Support for Science Award has been presented to U.S. Sen. Christopher (Kit) Bond of Missouri and U.S. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota. The award recognizes those who advance the role of science and technology in food and agricultural policies.

As a member of the Senate’s Appropriations Committee and its Agriculture Subcommittee, Bond has championed the benefits of biotechnology and foods. Peterson, as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, is an advocate for enhancing the nation’s food safety system and has championed the use of electronic tracking for livestock.

Food Safe International/Apollo Scientific Group, in conjunction with Food Safety International LLC and Sphere Group Inc., announced it will market and distribute the Spherequat 1000 and Spherequat 6400 disinfectants. The EPA-certified and patented products are food grade and are effective in five minutes against Staphyloccoccusaureaus, Salmonenne choleraesuis, and Pseudomonas aruginosa. The Spherequat products are effective for fresh produce, meat, dairy, poultry, hog barns, deli and more operations.

ExxonMobil Chemical’s packaging program has graduated its 9,000th student. Al Kuhl, technical marketing manager for MACtec, graduated from the University of Orientated Polypropylene, a flexible packaging and labeling edication program hosted by the Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical. The two-day seminar includes an overview of basic oriented polypropylenes and the use of OPP film for labeling face stocks and release liners.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.’s Corrugated Container division display group won 15 awards at the Point of Porchase Advertising International (POPAI) Outstanding Merchandising Achievement (OMA) awards contest. The OMA award recognizes innovative and effective retail marketing displays and programs that lift sales and make products memorable and enticing to customers. Smurfit-Stone won awards in nine different categories, including Grocery and General Merchandise, Beer, Snack Products & Soft Drinks, and Entertainment.

Shuttleworth Inc. hosted a visit for Purdue University Dean of International Programs Dr. Riall Nolan, along with Dr. Michael Brzezinski, director, international students and scholars; Dr. Brian Harley, director, study aborad, and Dr. Liza Boffen-Yordanov, director of development, internal programs and the graduate school of Purdue University. Shuttleworth and Purdue are working to develop a student internship program to allow students to experience first-hand the daily business opportunities and challenges that international business face today.