IAFP Announces 2011 Black Pearl Award Recipient

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

IAFP Names bioMérieux, Inc. as Recipient of the Prestigious Black Pearl Award

Des Moines, Iowa (May 31, 2011) - The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) selected bioMérieux, Inc., as the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award. Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F & H Food Equipment Company, the Black Pearl Award will be presented at IAFP's Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in August.

This honor is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.

bioMérieux, Inc., located in Hazelwood, Missouri (North American Headquarters) and Marcy l'Etoile, France (Corporate Headquarters), is a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 45 years. bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 39 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors, and provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software), which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve public health and ensure consumer safety.

For more than two decades, bioMérieux has been a global leader in providing innovative solutions to address food safety testing issues. Their food safety focus encompasses prevention, detection quality assurance, and nutrition. The company offers extensive global resources and local expertise in microbiology and food safety, driven by cutting-edge research and science to bring powerful new tools to the food industry.

Alexandre Mérieux, Corporate Vice President, bioMérieux, Inc., states, "Global food safety has been a particular focus for bioMérieux for the past 20 years, and is a part of the overall company mission for improving public health. With investments in research and development, technology partnerships, collaboration with the scientific community, government and accreditation agencies, and direct support of food producers, processors, and testing laboratories, bioMérieux remains committed to helping ensure the safety of the world's food supply."

"The importance of nutrition to the consumers' general well-being is no longer at issue," says Mérieux. "It is the subject of in-depth scientific investigations. bioMérieux is developing a global offer to prevent food contamination risks, and more generally, to improve nutrition and the quality of life. bioMérieux remains committed to promoting food safety education, to the exchange of scientific knowledge, and to improving public health globally through a safe and nutritious food supply accessible to everyone."