JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has introduced WD RxConnect Translate, a language translation service, at select in-store pharmacies across its Southeast market area.

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has introduced WD RxConnect Translate, a language translation service, at select in-store pharmacies across its Southeast market area.

The food and drug chain said Wednesday that the service, part of its WD RxConnect program, is now available in 62 of its more than 400 supermarket pharmacies. Offered in tandem with service provider Language Line Services, WD RxConnect Translate helps Winn-Dixie pharmacists overcome language barriers so they can effectively complete transactions and consultations with their customers.

"WD RxConnect Translate provides language interpreter services in more than 100 different languages, helping our pharmacists seamlessly communicate with people who otherwise might struggle to be understood or to understand information that is important to their health," John Fegan, vice president of pharmacy for Winn-Dixie, said in a statement.

The 62 Winn-Dixie pharmacies equipped with WD RxConnect Translate were identified through an in-depth analysis to determine need, according to the retailer. Each of those pharmacies has a special two-line phone that connects the pharmacist and the customer to an interpreter.

Pharmacists present a counter card that introduces the free service to customers when communication is a challenge, Winn-Dixie said. Once the customer identifies a language preference, the pharmacist phones an interpreter who can help communicate questions and concerns via a three-way call.

The service is available in more than 100 languages, including Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, French, German, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.

WD RxConnect is a central prescription record system that links all Winn-Dixie and SaveRite pharmacies. The program enables customers to review their medication profiles online, print medication histories, request refills online and view images of their medications.

Winn-Dixie operates 515 food and drug stores in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.