Whanganui's Roy Biggs receives leadership award from International Association for Food Protection

Roy Biggs, pictured with wife June, received the 2018 International Leadership Award from the International Association for Food Protection.

Whanganui food safety expert Roy Biggs has received an international award recognising his contribution to the industry.

The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) recognised Biggs' commitment to excellence in food safety with its 2018 International Leadership Award, presented in Salt Lake City, Utah, in July.

"It felt really good to get that recognition from my international peers," Biggs said.

"It was really superb. I'm pretty sure I'm the first New Zealander to receive that award."

About 1200 of the 3600 conference attendees were at the presentation dinner on the last night of the conference. Biggs' citation was read by the Association's secretary, New Zealander Dr Roger Cook, and the award was presented by Sean Leighton representing award sponsor Cargill.

Biggs won the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology's JC Andrews Award in 2017. The award recognises institute members who have made a substantial contribution to science and technology and leadership in the food industry.

"Paired with last year's award from the New Zealand Institute, the international award is pretty unique," Biggs said.

Biggs was heavily involved in the poultry industry and government joint strategy that changed New Zealand's reputation as "the campylobacter capital of the world".