Dr. John Butts Recognized For Food Safety Efforts in the Meat Industry by the American Meat Institute Foundation

Lansing, Ill. – November 10, 2009 – Land O’Frost, the nation’s third largest lunchmeat brand, today announced that its Vice President of Research John Butts, Ph. D., was honored with the American Meat Institute Foundation’s prestigious Scientific Achievement Award.

Throughout his 35 year career at Land O’Frost, Butts has been leading the company and the meat industry in food safety efforts. Butts developed the “Seek and Destroy” process for investigating sanitation and sanitary design problems, which has been adopted industry wide.

“We are extremely proud of John Butts’ achievement and recognition for this highly esteemed award. His contributions to improving food safety technology and practices makes John a valuable asset to not only just Land O’Frost, but also the industry as a whole,” said David Van Eekeren, president of Land O’Frost. “Food safety has always been a priority for Land O’Frost. John’s dedication and knowledge in food safety has helped us become one of the leading lunchmeat brands on the market today.”

In late 80’s, Butts introduced a pasteurization step and a one-way product process that separated the raw and Ready to Eat areas of the plant. Through Butts’ leadership, Land O’Frost implemented Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) years before it became mandated by USDA.

Butts served as chairman of the American Meat Institute’s (AMI) Scientific Affairs Committee from 2001 to 2003, co-authored AMI’s Listeria Prevention and Control Program and is a regular and well-respected instructor for the AMI’s Listeria Intervention and Control Workshops. He serves on the AMI Inspection Committee, AMIF Research Advisory Committee and served on the AMI Facility Design Task Force.

About Land O’Frost

Land O’Frost manufactures sliced packaged luncheon meats (beef, chicken, turkey, and ham), and is the largest family owned brand of packaged deli meat in the U.S.  Some of the leading products marketed by Land O’Frost include: Land O’Frost Premium® One Pound the top selling deli pouch in the U.S.; Land O’Frost DeliShaved®, and their ultra premium line Land O’Frost® Bistro Favorites™. Information on several additional items can be found on their website. The Land O’Frost brand can be found in the supermarkets and mass merchandisers that account for nearly 90 percent of the retail sales in the country, as well as Mexico, Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories. Land O’Frost also manufactures specialty meat products sold to restaurants and major food manufacturers. The company operates three facilities in Lansing, Ill., Madisonville, Ky. and Searcy, Ark. Visit www.landofrost.com for additional information.