Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) was ranked the world's most admired company in the food production industry for the third consecutive year by Fortune magazine, ADM said.

Considered the definitive report card on corporate reputation, Fortune magazine's annual list of the "World's Most Admired Companies" ranks companies in a number of major industries.

"We are extremely proud to again be acknowledged by our peers for our leadership in the food production industry," said Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Patricia A. Woertz. "To be recognised for excellence in the work we do to serve vital needs for food and energy speaks to the passion and commitment of our 29,000 employees."

Fortune ranked ADM at the top spot in the food production industry in six of the nine categories by which companies were evaluated: people management, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, quality of products and global competitiveness.

A total of 673 companies from 32 countries were evaluated by more than 4,100 executives, directors and security analysts. Survey respondents were asked to rate companies in their industry on nine criteria, including innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products and global competitiveness.