SOUTH AFRICA – SGS, a renowned testing, inspection, and certification company, has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art ISO/IEC 17025-accredited microbiological testing laboratory in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa.
This strategic move enhances SGS’s food safety testing capabilities in the northern region of South Africa, complementing the services provided by its existing lab in Maitland, Cape Town, which serves the southern region.
The new laboratory, accredited by both SANAS and ISO/IEC 17025, specializes in pathogen, hygiene indicator, and functional food testing.
It offers comprehensive microbial and pathogen testing services for food, feed, and environmental samples, including water and swabs.
The facility’s testing range encompasses basic microbial/pathogen analysis, ensuring the safety and quality of food products.
Currently staffed with six permanent members and five support staff, the Centurion laboratory is supported by SGS’s experienced management team located in the Cape Town facility.
This expansion marks the first phase of a three-year growth plan, with ongoing improvements aimed at enhancing the efficiency of test result turnaround times.
In April 2023, SGS opened another ISO 17025 and AOAC International accredited laboratory in São Bernardo do Campo, within the metropolitan region of São Paulo city, Brazil.
The brand-new cutting-edge facility is well situated adjacent to the Port of Santos, one of Brazil’s main logistical hubs, and it provides quick turnaround times for high-quality tests along the supply chain, from agricultural production to the manufacture of feed and food.
The 1,200 m2 laboratory at the time employed 25 permanent staff members providing a full range of testing services including microbiology, nutritional analysis, pesticides, minerals, heavy metals, as well as molecular biology.
SGS emphasizes the critical role of safety and quality in the food value chain. By partnering with highly qualified analysts and industry experts, businesses can ensure their products meet client expectations and comply with the stringent requirements established by governments and global accreditation bodies.
With its extensive network of offices and laboratories and a dedicated team of 98,000 employees, SGS continues to set the global benchmark for sustainability, quality, and integrity.
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