Publix’s Michael Roberson Receives SQFI’s Distinguished Service Award

Michael J. Roberson, director of corporate quality assurance at Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc., has won the Safe Quality Food Institute’s (SQFI) 2018 Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of his time and expertise throughout the industry in the area of food safety. Roberson received his award at the 2018 SQF International Conference in Atlanta, held Oct. 23-25, before an audience of 800-plus food safety and quality professionals. 

At Publix, Roberson oversees business initiatives regarding food and product protection and safety, food defense, private-brand development, and quality assurance integrity, recalls and compliance programs. A 22-year veteran of the food safety industry, he has been published more than 50 times in scientific journals and publications as an industry expert, and has been involved for many years with Food Marketing Institute's (FMI) Food Protection Committee.   

“Michael continues to influence advancements in food safety through his commitment to the supply chain,” noted Robert Garfield, chief food safety assessment officer and SVP of SQFI. “He is a stalwart champion for the profession and upholds standards for the safest, highest-quality products that consumers deserve and enjoy.”

Publix is No. 5 in Progressive Grocer’s 2018 Super 50 list of the top grocers in the United States.

The Safe Quality Food (SQF) program is the only certification system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) that offers certificates for primary production, food manufacturing, packaging and distribution. Additionally as a division of Arlington, Va.-based FMI, the program incorporates continual retailer feedback about consumer concerns, and then passes on this information to SQF-certified suppliers.