Local food assurance company purchased by Intertek

This acquisition expands its capacity to provide auditing, certification and training services for food producers and manufacturers in South Africa and the sub-Saharan region.

Chetan Parmar, senior VP of the group's Food Service said, "It's a great pleasure to have FSA join our global food quality solutions business. By combining the group's global presence and capabilities with its position as a leader in food supply chain assurance in Southern Africa, we can extend a full service solution to the food industry."

Operating throughout the Southern African region, FSA has a good reputation for its auditing services to the retail and food service sectors, with particular expertise in food safety management system auditing. It has some of South Africa's major food retailers, restaurants and their suppliers among its clients, as well as key global retailers with a presence in the Southern African region.

The acquisition will enhance the group's ability to support its global clients with their food quality and auditing needs in Sub-Saharan Africa. FSA's clients will benefit from the group's ability to support international food supply chain needs and its wider portfolio of expert food and food packaging testing, inspection and certification services.

Accredited certifications increase

As part of the group, FSA will now be able to deliver a larger number of accredited certifications in the region. These include ISO 22000 (Food Safety), FSSC 22000 (Food Safety), HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) as well as good catering practices, workplace conditions assessment and many others. These services enable the food industry to increase quality assurance and visibility along the supply chain, both within individual companies and between different trading parties.

Donna Crockart, managing member of FSA said, "The firm has a service focus dedicated to adding progressive value to customer's products and processes, supporting their success in the global and local market. Its complementary services and shared values of integrity and service excellence, will dovetail seamlessly with those of Intertek."

Parmar adds, "Increased consumer awareness, globalisation and the demand for safe food have led the food industry to demand more food safety management systems. This, coupled with local and international developments within African markets, has led to an increasing demand for local quality services within a global framework."