Eurofins First in U.S. to Earn International Olive Council Accreditation

DES MOINES, Iowa and NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratories announces new accreditation awarded by the International Olive Council (IOC). It is the largest and first independent contract laboratory in the U.S. to earn accreditation from the IOC.

The IOC awards accreditation to chemical testing laboratories around the world that follow recommended methods of analysis for purity, quality, grade and contaminants in olive oil. Olive oil testing is also necessary to protect consumers from product fraud.

Until now, there has never been an independent contract lab in the U.S. for domestic olive producers to purchase IOC-approved testing, leading producers to send samples abroad for authentication.

"Amid the growing interest in verifying olive oil quality and authenticity, it is great news that Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratories has achieved accreditation by the International Olive Council for laboratory testing services," said Curtis Cord, Executive Editor of Olive Oil Times. "Eurofins' market-leading resources and expertise will serve an important role for the industry."

The IOC accreditation for chemical testing facilities was developed to distinguish laboratories that use preferred scientific methods for identifying organoleptic characteristics of virgin olive oil. Testing methods are evaluated regularly by the IOC to ensure that accredited facilities use the most effective procedures to analyze the purity and quality of a sample.

"We are pleased to announce this IOC accreditation of our laboratory in New Orleans," said John Reuther, President of Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratories. "This recognition not only enables us to meet the growing demands for an accredited olive oil testing facility in the U.S., it demonstrates Eurofins' continued effort to provide a strategic yet comprehensive range of food testing services."

As a world leader in food testing services, Eurofins provides technical expertise and market knowledge to businesses at every stage of production. Eurofins laboratories follow strict analytical methods of food testing that are certified by a number of renowned product specialty organizations. Eurofins provides certified testing services to a number of specialized industries and maintains a portfolio of over 130,000 validated analytical testing methods. 

For more information, please visit http://www.eurofinsus.com/food-testing/.

Notes for the editor:

Eurofins – a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific believes it is the world leader in food, environment and pharmaceutical products testing, as well as one of the global market leaders in agroscience, genomics, discovery pharmacology and central laboratory services. In addition, Eurofins is one of the key emerging players in specialty clinical diagnostic testing in Europe and the USA.

With over 25,000 staff in more than 250 laboratories across 39 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 130,000 validated analytical methods for evaluating the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products, as well as for innovative clinical diagnostic. The Group provides its customers with high-quality services, accurate results on time and expert advice by its highly qualified staff.

Eurofins is committed to pursuing its dynamic growth strategy by expanding 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 and analytical chemistry 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 expanding demands of regulatory authorities and healthcare practitioners around the world.

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

Important disclaimer:
This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained herein represent the judgment of Eurofins Scientific as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements 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.

SOURCE Eurofins