OAK BROOK, Ill. – McDonald’s announced its 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain winners. The awards recognize the company's suppliers who implement sustainability initiatives that help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness. Brasil Foods, Cargill Inc., JBS USA, Keystone Foods, OSI Food Solutions, Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods, Inc. were among the companies receiving the honor.

McDonald’s selected 39 companies to receive the honor from more than 400 submissions from 172 different suppliers. A panel of executives and external experts, including BSR, Conservation International, Food Animal Initiative (FAI) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) selected the winners. These projects were chosen based on either measurable results or innovation, McDonald's said.