SGS, Fairfield, N.J., acquired ILC Micro-Chem, a Canada-based independent laboratory that specializes in microbiology and food chemistry testing services, including the analysis of raw food materials, finished food products and environmental swabs for the food manufacturing industry.

"ILC has been committed to helping customers address compliance issues and growing consumer demand for better information on food produced for human and animal consumption, so we are excited about this move that strengthens our microbiology and food chemistry testing services," says Don Slobodzian, vice president of SGS' agriculture and food division.

The ILC laboratory consists of two departments—microbiology and chemistry—and maintains testing scope accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

"This acquisition closes a geographical gap in our testing portfolio, and allows us to serve clients with a full service offering for food safety testing in Canada," says Frankie Ng, chief executive officer of SGS.