ECL Ecolab Inc

Ecolab Inc. today announced a major expansion of its EcoSure(SM) quality assurance program. Known best for its onsite third-party food safety evaluations, EcoSure is adding services beyond the kitchen into the areas of workplace safety, guest experience and customer staff education. "We're expanding EcoSure in response to customer demand for our third-party evaluations in areas outside of the kitchen," explains EcoSure vice president and general manager Bob Sherwood. "Our customers appreciate the objectivity we bring in evaluating their food safety practices, and Ecolab is well-positioned to address their needs for these additional areas of potential risk." Sherwood notes that it's no coincidence the expansion of EcoSure fits well with the Ecolab 360(degree) of Protection(TM) program. "360(degree) of Protection covers the areas of concern cited as most important by Ecolab customers, and EcoSure is expanding to offer its quality assurance services in these critical areas as well." EcoSure is also launching a service specifically tailored to helping national multi-unit operators protect their customers and their business through customized ServSafe(R) Food Safety Certification classes. The ServSafe food safety training and certification program is recognized by more jurisdictions than any other manager food safety program. EcoSure offers courses throughout the United States and Canada. EcoSure performs on-site audits in over 50,000 properties nationwide including restaurants, hotels, food retail and food processing operations. EcoSure services cover a wide range of factors such as supplier audits and nutrition validation, each with more than 100 action zones included in the evaluations to measure against established company standards, legal requirements and industry benchmarks. For example, the newly introduced guest experience audits measure items critical to the satisfaction of customers such as facility cleanliness, food quality, and customer service. With 2005 sales of $4.5 billion, Ecolab is the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets. Ecolab shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ECL. Ecolab news releases and other investor information are available on the Internet at http://www.ecolab.com.