IDenticard Imaging Systems Cater to Growing Number of Food Companies

Lancaster, Pa. (Jan. 15, 2003) -- Pennexx Foods and Watson Sysco Food Services, Inc., have joined the growing number of food companies nationwide boosting security with IDenticard imaging systems.

The food companies' heightened awareness and security improvements are in keeping with guidelines issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.  These guidelines identify preventive measures food establishments can take to minimize the risk that food under their control will be subject to tampering, criminal or terrorist actions.  Operators of food establishments are encouraged to review their current procedures and controls and make appropriate improvements.

To meet the demand for increased security at their 145,000-square-foot food packing facility on a 10-acre campus, Philadelphia-based Pennexx chose IVIS Plus 2000.  The imaging system also will interface with the biometric hand readers of Pennexx's ADP time and attendance system.  Using JetPaks to create color-rich ID cards, Pennexx also opted to benefit from the added protection of IDentiGuard.  Pennexx cuts, packages, processes and delivers case-ready beef, pork, lamb and veal, in compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, to approximately 15 customer including ShopRite, Pathmark, Food Basics, Nash Finch and C&W Wholesale Grocers. 

Like Pennexx, Watson Sysco Food Services, Inc., Lubbock, Tex., is relying on the flexibility of an IDenticard imaging system -- the IVIS Plus 500 -- to badge employees at its facilities, including a recently-built $10 million, 76,000 square-foot refrigerated warehouse.  Watson Sysco is a subsidiary of the nation's larges food distributor, SYSCO Corporation.  Operating from 146 locations throughout the contiguous United States and portions of Alaska, Hawaii and Canada, today SYSCO's product lines are as diverse as the 47,000 employees who support its daily operations.