Kroger recognized for food safety technology

The Kroger Co. has earned more recognition for its investments in food safety innovation.

The company's innovative electronic temperature monitoring project has been named a winner of the 2015 CIO 100 Award by International Data Group's CIO Magazine.

"We are honored to be listed among the CIO 100," said Chris Hjelm, Kroger's chief information officer. "From our inventors and innovators in Kroger Technology to our Food Safety and Retail Operations groups, so many Kroger teams worked together to make electronic temperature monitoring a success and they all share in our appreciation."

Kroger's electronic temperature monitoring initiative, FAST (Food at Safe Temperature) Alerts, tracks cold and frozen food case temperatures and notifies store associates of temperature changes. Using interactive sensors that are connected through an in-store network, FAST Alerts helps ensure that fresh foods remain fresher, longer by making real-time temperature checks of produce, meat, deli and frozen food products. The technology also eliminates the need for manual temperature logs.

"FAST Alerts is a perfect example of the Customer 1st Innovation we strive for – it saves money and frees up time for our associates to engage with customers," said Hjelm. "Most importantly, this technology is helping to improve our already vigorous food safety efforts."

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,625 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 782 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,330 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S.