US Foods Executive to Chair GFSI Transport and Distribution Working Group

ROSEMONT, IL--(Marketwire - Oct 6, 2011) - US Foods today announced that Jorge Hernandez, senior vice president of food safety and quality, has been named chairperson of the Transport and Distribution Working Group of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

The Working Group will:

• Review current safety practices in relation to the transportation and distribution of food and feed products and then define and measure best food safety practices within the international food and feed distribution and transportation industries.
• Identify the safety monitoring requirements of food and feed transportation and distribution companies worldwide.
• Provide technical recommendations to the GFSI Board on issues relating to food safety within the food supply chain.

This information will enable GFSI to develop key elements for inclusion in the GFSI Guidance Document relating to the safe transportation of food and feed products.

In addition to Hernandez, the Working Group will consist of food safety experts from several international companies including food distributors. The full list of working group members will be finalized later this year and published on the GFSI website.

"Food transportation and distribution are critical, and some times forgotten, components of the food chain," Hernandez said. "Whether it's across town or across the globe, food safety and security must be maintained to ensure a safe food supply. The goal of this working group will be to define, measure and communicate how food and feed products should be transported and distributed to maintain their safety. Establishing criteria and metrics for these segments is the first step in creating the right environment for safety and continuous improvement."

About GFSI
The Global Food Safety Initiative is committed to providing continuous improvement in food safety management systems to ensure confidence in the delivery of safe food to consumers worldwide. GFSI is collaboration between some of the world's leading food safety experts from retailer, manufacturer and food service companies, as well as service providers associated with the food supply chain. It is managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, a global, parity‐based industry network bringing together the CEOs and senior management of over 650 retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other stakeholders across 70 countries.

About US Foods
With nearly $19 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America, and a leading foodservice distributor. Many of the entities that make up US Foods were founded in the 19th century, including one that sold provisions to travelers heading west during the 1850s gold rush. The company had used the name U.S. Foodservice since 1993. US Foods offers more than 350,000 national brand products and its own high-quality "exclusive brand" items, ranging from fresh meats and produce to prepared and frozen foods. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide, and provides the finest quality food and related products to more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.