World Food Safety Day: Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Commitment to Food Safety

At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, food safety is foundational to everything we do. Every day, team members across our organization work together to ensure the products we provide to customers and consumers are safe, wholesome, and high quality. From our processing facilities and quality assurance teams to our corporate support functions and laboratory professionals, food safety is a shared responsibility that demands diligence, accountability, and collaboration at every level of the organization.

“Food safety, to me, is a commitment to excellence that guides every decision we make,” said Jonathan James, Senior Director of Food Safety and Laboratory Services. “It means applying science, vigilance, and continuous improvement to ensure that the food we produce is as safe as it can possibly be.” That commitment is reflected throughout the company, including in the recent accreditation achievements of the Wayne-Sanderson Farms Corporate Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratories. Through a dedication to quality, scientific excellence and rigorous standards, the laboratories have successfully achieved and maintained ISO/IEC 17025 and USDA Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) accreditations, demonstrating their ability to deliver accurate and reliable testing according to internationally recognized standards. Kimberly Jefferson, Corporate Laboratory Manager, emphasized the critical role laboratory testing plays in supporting food safety efforts. “Our food safety approach is rooted in verification, not assumption—we don’t rely on hope; we back safety with proven evidence through laboratory testing.”

For Melinda Hollins, Corporate Food Safety Manager, food safety is ultimately about protecting the people who enjoy our products. “Food safety is deeply important to me because it focuses on protecting people and ensuring the food families bring to their tables is safe to eat,” she said. “It also involves continuously improving processes through data, accountability, and teamwork.” As we recognize World Food Safety Day, we celebrate the many professionals across Wayne-Sanderson Farms whose expertise and dedication help uphold those standards every day.

“Behind every safe product is a team of highly technical, strategic, and science-driven experts working tirelessly—often behind the scenes—with one clear objective: to support our operations in delivering safe, high-quality food to a hungry world,” said Juanfra DeVillena, Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance and Food Safety. “Today, we recognize their commitment, their expertise, and their relentless pursuit of excellence. Because food safety isn’t just a priority—it’s our responsibility.”

Thank you to our Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Laboratory teams for all you do to make chicken amazing.