ECL Ecolab Inc

Ecolab Inc. is the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award of Corporate Excellence in Food Safety and Quality. Presented to Ecolab by the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) during its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 16, the Black Pearl Award recognizes efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP. "Ecolab has long been committed to helping our customers in all segments of food production, processing, handling and preparation to further enhance their food safety programs," says Bruce Cords, vice president of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health for Ecolab. "Our comprehensive programs combine products, technology, personal service, training and technical support to enhance food safety and quality at customer locations worldwide. The delivery of innovative food safety solutions is a team effort beginning with our scientists and engineers who develop new products and systems to our dedicated sales and service associates who implement these interventions in customer locations around the world every day. To be recognized by the IAFP with the Black Pearl Award for our ongoing dedication to food safety is a great honor and a testament to our commitment to help make the world a cleaner, safer place to live. Food safety is a priority for our customers around the world, and we are proud to be recognized by the IAFP as a leader in the advancement of food safety initiatives." The IAFP is a non-profit association whose mission is to provide food safety professionals worldwide with a forum to exchange information on protecting the food supply. The Black Pearl Award recipient is chosen by a jury panel of IAFP members. The jury expressed that it was impressed with Ecolab's commitment to excellence in food safety and was a worthy recipient of the award. "We recognize and appreciate Ecolab Inc.'s achievement in corporate excellence in food safety and quality," said IAFP President Jeffrey Farber. "This is the very reason Ecolab was selected to receive this honor." Ecolab has been an IAFP Sustaining Member for more than 20 years, as a sponsor, exhibitor and presenter of speakers and educational sessions at the IAFP Annual Meeting. Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F & H Food Equipment Company, the Black Pearl Award has been given annually in recognition of corporate excellence in food safety since 1994. Recent past recipients include DuPont, Jack in the Box, Wegmans Food Markets, and Darden Restaurants. 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.