The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council recognized six poultry facilities with the Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award at the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The facilities earned recognition for demonstrating meaningful progress in operational excellence through innovative safety and/or health initiatives.

“It is encouraging to see companies taking innovative and meaningful steps to strengthen safety across their operations, and we are honored to recognize these six organizations for their dedication to protecting their workforce,” 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:

Koch Foods, Ashland, Ala.
Tyson Foods, Seguin, Texas
Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Pendergrass, Ga.
Simmons Prepared Foods, Benton County, Ark., Processing Plant
Butterball LLC, Carthage, Mo.
Mar-Jac Poultry MS LLC, Hattiesburg, Miss.

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 and 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 and 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.