Ingles, Brookshire’s, CUB, Coborn’s, Bristol
Farms and Lazy Acres implement science-based solutions to build
customer confidence and address current and future pandemic
concerns
Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, food safety and
infection prevention solutions and services, has expanded its
Ecolab Science Certified™ program to include six leading food
retail partners. Ingles Markets, Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy,
CUB Foods, Coborn’s, Bristol Farms and Lazy Acres are the latest
partners to commit to rigorous cleaning protocols, training and
audits that will earn the official Ecolab Science Certified seal,
helping give consumers confidence as they look to the future.
These regional partners join other leading nationwide food
retail brands, as well as many restaurants and hotels across the
country, in advancing cleaner, safer practices through the Ecolab
Science Certified program. The program, which combines advanced
chemistries with public health and food safety training and
periodic auditing, is helping these businesses achieve a higher
level of cleanliness to address the new health and safety
challenges and consumer expectations driven by the COVID-19
pandemic and other emerging pathogens.
By passing the independent audit performed by Ecolab and
demonstrating their commitment to the Ecolab Science Certified
program, these food retailers will display the official Ecolab
Science Certified seal at more than 475 participating grocery store
locations:
- Ingles, a leading grocer with 197 stores in Alabama, Georgia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
- Brookshire’s, a regional family-owned grocery business with
more than 180 stores operating in Texas, Louisiana and
Arkansas.
- CUB, a major Midwestern grocer with 79 locations in Minnesota
and Illinois.
- Coborn’s, a long-time Midwestern grocery store chain with more
than 60 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South
Dakota.
- Bristol Farms, a gourmet grocer based in Southern California,
with 14 locations from Santa Barbara to Palm Desert.
- Lazy Acres, a natural food market based in Southern California,
with five locations from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
“The safety of our customers and associates has been of
paramount importance to Ingles since the outbreak of the pandemic
last year,” said Ron Freeman, Ingles chief financial officer. “The
Ecolab Science Certified program allows us to demonstrate our
commitment to rigorous, science-based cleaning protocols, training
and audits to our customers and associates. The program is an
important part of our overall standards to help provide a safer and
cleaner shopping experience and workplace by reducing the risk of
exposure to germs, including the COVID-19 virus.”
The Ecolab Science Certified program is grounded in Ecolab’s
decades of experience helping keep hospitals, grocery stores,
restaurants, hotels and other businesses clean. It leverages
Ecolab’s unique combination of science-based solutions and insights
from a global team of 1,200 scientists, with audits performed by
highly trained Ecolab specialists.
The program also was informed by key insights from proprietary
Ecolab consumer research.1 The research showed that 72% of frequent
grocery shoppers feel “very safe” or “extremely safe” knowing
hospital disinfectants* are being used in stores. The research also
found that consumers feel safer knowing cleaning and disinfecting
practices are verified by an external, independent auditor with
cleaning expertise**. And even after a vaccine is distributed,
Ecolab’s research shows that 95% of consumers surveyed want to see
as much or more cleaning and sanitation practices at the places
they eat, stay and shop.2
“Through the Ecolab Science Certified program, we’re helping our
customers recalibrate to meet higher standards throughout the
industry,” said Adam Johnson, vice president and general manager of
Ecolab’s global food retail business. “We look forward to helping
these leading food retailers build consumer confidence as they
implement our comprehensive program.”
In grocery stores, restaurants and hotels, the key elements of
the Ecolab Science Certified program provide rigor and support
consumer confidence:
- Create clean through hospital disinfectants and
food-contact sanitizers approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for use against the COVID-19 virus and
other emerging pathogens, and elevated hygiene standards and
protocols informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
- Check clean through detailed public health and food
safety training and periodic auditing by highly trained Ecolab
specialists focused on public health and food safety to determine
whether program elements are being followed.
- See and believe clean through front-of-house cleaning
and disinfecting procedures and the Ecolab Science Certified seal,
a visible sign of commitment that a location is advancing cleaner,
safer practices.
For more information and to see the Ecolab Science Certified
program in action, visit www.sciencecertified.com.
About Ecolab
A trusted partner at nearly 3 million commercial customer
locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and
infection prevention solutions and services. With annual sales of
$13 billion and more than 45,000 associates, Ecolab delivers
comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights and personalized
service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe
environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve
operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the
food, healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets in more than
170 countries around the world. www.ecolab.com
Follow us on Twitter @ecolab, Facebook at facebook.com/ecolab,
LinkedIn at Ecolab or Instagram at Ecolab Inc.
About Ingles Markets
Ingles Markets, Incorporated is a leading grocer with operations
in six southeastern states. Headquartered in Asheville, North
Carolina, the company operates 197 supermarkets. To learn more
about Ingles Markets and our efforts to end hunger and aid in the
education of children, visit www.ingles-markets.com.
About Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
Based in Tyler, Texas, Brookshire Grocery Co. is a regional
family-owned grocery business that employs more than 15,00
individuals throughout Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The company
operates more than 180 stores under the Brookshire’s, Super 1
Foods, FRESH by Brookshire’s and Spring Market banners.
About CUB Foods
CUB, based in Stillwater, Minn., was established in 1968 as one
of the nation's first discount grocery stores. The organization,
which is owned by parent company UNFI, operates 79 grocery stores
in Minnesota and Illinois, each of which offers a wide selection of
fresh products and great values throughout the store to meet
consumer's everyday grocery needs. As the hometown grocer for over
50 years, CUB has made it a priority to be a good corporate citizen
by helping to create healthy and thriving communities that enhance
the quality of life for its customers, employees, and neighbors.
For company news and information, follow us on Twitter at @CUBFoods
and Facebook at www.facebook.com/CUB, or visit our website at
www.CUB.com.
About Coborn’s, Inc.
St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn’s, Inc. is a 100-year-old
employee-owned grocery retailer with nearly 9,300 employees and 60
grocery stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and
Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods
and Hornbacher’s banners. Coborn’s, Inc. also owns liquor and
pharmacy locations. To support its 130 various retail business
units, Coborn’s, Inc. operates its own central bakery, dry cleaning
facility and grocery distribution center.
About Bristol Farms
Since 1982, Bristol Farms has been on a mission to bring people
together around cooking and sharing delicious food. Offerings are
curated to encourage discovery of new flavors and new brands, while
also providing traditional grocery essentials in a beautiful
environment. The focus on customer service is reflected in their
highly trained team members, apprenticeship programs, and internal
education support for career advancement. For nearly forty years,
Bristol Farms has been recognized for providing a shopping
experience unlike any other in Southern California. For more
information about Bristol Farms, visit www.bristolfarms.com or
follow them on Instagram.
About Lazy Acres Natural Market
Founded in 1991, Lazy Acres believes in a natural approach to
optimal health and wellness. Their mission is rooted in the belief
that our collective actions can and will contribute to a healthier
planet. From organic and seasonal produce and products steeped in
tradition, to functional supplements and body care, their
passionate team members are here to support you in mind, body and
soul. With five Southern California locations, Lazy Acres is
dedicated to providing a marketplace for anyone who loves to eat
healthy and live well. For more information about Lazy Acres
Market, visit www.lazyacres.com or follow them on Instagram.
1Ecolab proprietary research conducted May 2020. *The term
“hospital-grade disinfectants” was used in the research conducted
May 2020. **Versus on-site managers or the company that owns the
business. 2Ecolab proprietary research conducted January 2021.
(ECL-P)
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Mesa Denny +1 651 250 4724 MediaRelations@ecolab.com
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