Eurofins highlights Asian presence to respond to calls for greater food safety levels in the region

The Global Food Safety Forum (GFSF) calls for regulatory mechanisms to enforce higher food safety levels in Asia, in a recently released white paper. The food industry watchdog commends as well the recent creation of the Food Safety Commission in China following the introduction of its Food Safety Laws in 2009 to address concerns over contamination of food products prevalent in the region.

The paper recommends that China and other Asian countries work more with third-party testing and certification, in line with the growing trend for governments, especially in the Western world, requiring third-party certification to manage food safety controls on imports into their countries.

Eurofins, the global reference in food testing, has 5 sites/laboratories in China and Hong Kong, as well as facilities in other Asian countries, namely India and Japan. The Group has long been a partner of global food producers and manufacturers who source both raw materials and finished food products in Asia, for consumption in Europe and the USA. Eurofins not only has the capability to process high volumes of samples, but has the widest portfolio of analytical methods (over 100,000) and accreditations across its global network of laboratories.

In one of its food testing laboratories in China alone, Eurofins is capable of handling up to 500 samples per day. The standards in the Asian laboratories are entirely identical to those in the Group's more mature markets (e.g. ISO 17025 accredited), ensuring consistent quality of services across its 150 laboratories worldwide. Eurofins Asia Pacific leverages the Group's global capabilities to offer unique services to its customers in the region, including testing and sampling according to international standards. The Asian laboratories are also able to provide clients with qualified opinion of their test results based on US or European requirements, and multilingual test reports according to their needs.

Eurofins' commitment to the region was also evident in its rapid response to the recent Fukushima tragedy in Japan, setting up the first high throughput facility for Radioactive Material Analysis (RMA) by a global laboratory network shortly after the incident.

Commenting on the watchdog's conclusions, Dr. Matthias-Wilbur Weber, Eurofins' Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific says, "The growing need for food safety testing in Asia is relevant not only for Western-bound food products produced in the region, but also those for local consumption. Whilst our laboratories have been built to meet Western standards and accreditation, 95% of our staff come from Asia, and are therefore in-tune with local industry trends and regulations. Eurofins is excited to be part of a growing market and to work with the local industry". 

For further information please contact:

Notes for the editor:

Eurofins - a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific is a life sciences company operating internationally to provide a comprehensive range of analytical testing services to clients from a wide range of industries including the pharmaceutical, food and environmental sectors.

With about 9,500 staff in more than 150 laboratories across 30 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 100,000 reliable analytical methods for evaluating the authenticity, origin, safety, identity, composition and purity of biological substances and products. The Group is committed to providing its customers with high quality services, accurate results in time and, if requested, expert advice by its highly qualified staff.

The Eurofins Group is the world leader in food testing and one of the global market leaders in pharmaceuticals and environmental testing. It intends to pursue its dynamic growth strategy and expand both its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology to offer its clients unique analytical solutions and the most comprehensive range of testing methods. As one of the most innovative and quality oriented international players in its industry, Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the demands of regulatory authorities around the world.

The shares of Eurofins Scientific are listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN FR0000038259, Reuters EUFI.PA, Bloomberg ERF FP).

Important disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates did involve Risks and Uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained in represent The Judgement of Eurofins Scientific 'management as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not Guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events in this release Discussed May Not Occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements of thesis and estimates. All statements and estimates are made based on the data available to the Company as of the date of publication, but no guarantee can be made as to Their validity.