MEXICO – SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has during its 70th anniversary in Mexico, announced the opening of a new 500m2 food analysis laboratory in Naucalpan, State of Mexico.
SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 96,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
The new Naucalpan laboratory will support the Mexican food industry, assisting organizations with quality control and regulatory compliance.
SGS will also help ensure that products produced for export are safe and compliant with international regulations, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), through the analysis of the product and materials throughout the entire supply chain.
In addition, it will ensure compliance with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized, gluten-free and non-GMO certification schemes and product labeling requirements.
According to Jennifer Buckley, Senior Global Marketing Manager, SGS, the laboratory’s experienced personnel, working in first-class facilities, will provide organizations with a wide array of key food, beverage, and environmental analysis services.
“Our laboratory services will help customers comply with national and international regulations, such as Mexico’s NOM 051-2010 food labeling regulation. The laboratory has also received accreditation under NMX-EC-17025-IMNC-2018 for the conformity assessment of food-related activities, granted by the Mexican Accreditation Entity,” she said.
The laboratory’s specific capabilities include drinking and bottled water analysis, bromatological and physicochemical food analysis, Microbiological analysis including pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria, and microbiological surface monitoring and analysis.
It will also conduct heavy metals and trace levels analysis, sensory analysis: color, taste, odor and texture, nutritional and compositional analysis: fiber, fat, protein, ash, pH, humidity and refractive index, among others and physical testing: temperature, foreign matter, count and size, etc.
Testing can be conducted on a range of food products including seafood, finished food products, grain products, cereals, industrial bakery and pastry, confectionery, snacks, meat and poultry, sauces, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, juices, beverages and other ingredients.
The company hopes to increase the laboratory’s capacity by increasing the workforce to 37 full-time members of staff.
“The laboratory itself is open from Monday to Friday, though microbiology operations will take place seven days a week – and special services will be available on demand. We can also arrange for sample collection across the country and, when needed, provide specialized testing through our global network of laboratories,” informed Buckley.
Lab provides competitive advantage to organizations
Due to SGS’ range of certifications and food product services, organizations can demonstrate that their foodstuffs are fully compliant with regulations, she noted adding that they can also gain independent third-party verification that their products meet the standards stated on their packaging.
These services provide a competitive advantage, making it easier for organizations to successfully market their products throughout the world.
“Seventy years in Mexico would not be possible without our clients; we want to thank them for being part of this great story. We’re committed to offering services that promote sustainable development to build a better, safer, and more interconnected world,” Gerardo Villavicencio, SGS Mexico’s Managing Director, commented.
Buckley noted that the new lab echoes the company’s wider global mission, one that champions continuous improvement and innovation – supporting their clients’ operations by reducing risks and increasing productivity.
In November last year, SGS’ head certification office in Suwanee Georgia, USA, was granted accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to provide third-party certification of NSF/ANSI standards for food service and commercial appliance equipment products.
Food service equipment in the United States is required to be compliant with national sanitation requirements (NSF). Now, as an ANSI-accredited certification body, SGS can certify food equipment as specified in the FDA Food Code in accordance with 12 NSF/ANSI standards.
It also launched the Advanced Centre of Testing (ACT) at its laboratory premises at Ambattur, Chennai in India -expanding its food testing capabilities.
The ACT provides specialized services for targeted and non-targeted detection of various contaminants, digital sensory analysis, and DNA-based molecular solutions. The advanced capabilities will help the agriculture and food industry combat fraud, ensure authenticity, enhance safety, and improve the quality of food products to build consumer trust.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Safety Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food safety, quality and compliance. SUBSCRIBE HERE