SQFI Honors Publix Exec With Distinguished Service Award

The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) honored Michael J. Roberson, director of corporate quality assurance for Publix Super Markets Inc., with its 2018 SQFI Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his dedicated time and expertise in the food safety industry.

The award was presented at the organization’s 2018 SQF International Conference in Atlanta, which gathered more than 800 food safety and quality professionals.

“Michael continues to influence advancements in food safety through his commitment to the supply chain,” said Robert Garfield, chief food safety assessment officer and SVP of SQFI, at the presentation. “He is a stalwart champion for the profession and upholds standards for the safest, highest-quality products that consumers deserve and enjoy.”

Roberson currently oversees business initiatives regarding food and product protection and safety, food defense, private brand development and quality assurance integrity, recalls and compliance programs at Publix.

A 22-year industry veteran, Roberson is renowned for his expertise and passion for the retail food arena. He has been published more than 50 times in scientific journals and publications and has maintained long-term involvement with the Food Market Institute’s (FMI's) Food Protection Committee, which stewards the association’s relevant policies and programs.

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Designed to provide retailers and foodservice providers with a rigorous, credible food safety management system, the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program—a division of FMI—is the only certification system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative that offers certificates for primary production, food manufacturing, packaging and distribution.