Jeremy Travis, vice president of quality and technical services for Hilmar Cheese Company Inc., received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2022 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum in Palm Desert, Calif., on Jan. 25. The award, now in its sixth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry, Washington, D.C.-based IDFA said.

“Jeremy Travis exemplifies food safety leadership for the Hilmar Cheese Company and across the dairy industry,” said John Allan, IDFA’s vice president of regulatory affairs and international standards. “His respect across the industry is evidenced by the many nominations he received from his peers at different dairy companies. Given his many years of engagement, commitment and passion in working with others from various companies, through IDFA’s committees, as well as other dairy organizations, IDFA is proud to present this year’s Food Safety Leadership Award to Mr. Travis.”

Previous recipients of the award are Dairy Farmers of America (2021), Edith Wilkin, staff vice president and fellow, food safety and regulatory compliance for Leprino Foods (2020); The Ice Cream Club Inc. (2019); Brian Kraus, director of food safety and regulatory compliance, Wells Enterprises Inc. (2018); and the Cornell University Dairy Foods Extension team (2017).

“Jeremy’s passion for continuous improvement has enhanced product quality and safety,” said David Ahlem, CEO and president, Hilmar Cheese Company Inc. “He has used his knowledge and expertise to improve food safety for the entire industry.”

Travis added: “This honor represents the partnerships we continue to strengthen across the dairy industry, academia and the regulatory network. It also reflects progress of our Hilmar Cheese Company food safety, manufacturing and technical teams. Thank you for this recognition that the dairy industry works together to be the leader in food safety.”

A call for nominations for the 2023 Food Safety Leadership Award will be released this summer. More information about the award can be found here.