OAKWOOD, OHIO – Cooper Farms recently announced that two processing plants received an AA+ rating during a recent food safety audit from the Brand Reputation Compliance through Global Standard (BRCGS), the highest possible rating.

The company said the recognition went to its cooked meats facility in Van Wert, Ohio, and its harvesting plant in St. Henry, Ohio.

Tom Wisvari, director of processing for Cooper Farms, stated that the company previously received perfect ratings from pre-announced audits. However, the AA+ rating can only be achieved during an unannounced audit.

“This particular audit was unannounced, so we are extremely proud to know that our team members are doing things the right way at all times,” Wisvari said. “This gives us great confidence that our products are being produced safely.”

Following the audit, Gary Cooper, the company’s chief operating officer, credited the workers on the production floor and the sanitation crews for the successful audit.

“Food safety and quality is a top priority at both the harvesting and cooked meats locations,” Cooper said. “The dedicated teams we have, as well as the leadership at both locations, deserve all the credit in the world for maintaining our reputation of producing high-quality, safe products.” 

The BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard provides a framework to manage product safety, its integrity, legality and quality, and the operational controls for these criteria in the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing and packing industry.