WOOSTER, OHIO — Certified Angus Beef LLC (C.A.B.) has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company. A distinction held by only 170 organizations throughout the nation, the designation recognizes companies that help their employees eat better and move more.

"Employee wellness and physical activity are important priorities at Certified Angus Beef, and we are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association," said Pam Cottrell, C.A.B.’s director of human resources. "The objective of our health and wellness program is to help employees manage, improve and make healthy lifestyle choices by providing them with the information and tools they need to reach their goals."

C.A.B.’s health and wellness programs include many components. It includes a nutrition and weight-management class conducted by a registered dietician; a program that tracks employees’ exercise and aerobic activity and distribution of "wellness bucks" that can be redeemed for health and fitness purchases. The program also offers visits by a registered nurse who offers personal consultations and coaching; annual Health Risk Assessments and Personal Wellness Profiles, and a bi-weekly onsite fitness class. Finally, employees receive visits by a fitness specialist who helps create individual exercise programs, and personalized coaching by a financial specialist, among other things.

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program helps companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority and combat increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year, C.A.B. relayed.