Gold’n Plump Poultry, the Midwest’s largest fully integrated chicken producer, announced that it has achieved Safe Quality Foods (SQF) 2000 Level 2 Food Safety certification from the Safe Quality Foods Institute (SQFI). SQFI is a division of Food Marketing Institute (FMI). In the case of Gold’n Plump, certification was granted to all three of the company’s processing facilities located in Cold Spring and Luverne, Minn., and Arcadia, Wis. Audits were conducted by a third-party, SQF-accredited certification body, Silliker Global Certification Group, a subsidiary of Silliker Group Corp. The program provides independent certification that a supplier’s food safety system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations.

“This has been a very intense, lengthy process, and it’s taken a tremendous effort on the part of our people. It’s been well worth it,” stated Steve Jurek, executive vice president of operations for Gold’n Plump. “With consumer skepticism and uncertainty around the safety of the U.S. food supply, retailers and foodservice providers are looking for assurances from suppliers. It means peace of mind,” he added.