SGS opens laboratory in Germany to meet testing services demand

SGS has invested in its laboratory and testing network with a new food laboratory in Germany to meet testing service demand.

To meet the need for testing services SGS relocated and expanded its food laboratory to a new location in Freiburg.

It is almost twice as big as the previous site, so offers more space for food and beverage analysis equipment.

This laboratory, located in South West Germany, close to France and Switzerland, offers a range of product assessment services, said SGS.

Variety of testing

The SGS laboratory in Freiburg offers testing services for food and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.

It also focuses on microbiological testing and chemical analysis for drinks such as wine, distilled liquors and liqueurs, juices, soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages.

The laboratory offers the same testing for food, like meat and meat products, fresh fruit and vegetables, cocoa and chocolate products, cakes and pastry products, diet foods, frozen food products and shelf life tests for frozen and non-frozen products.

At the site 80 employees, laboratory staff and customer service, will work in the SGS Institut Fresenius lab, which is located in the innovation centre in northern Freiburg’s BioTech Park.

The personnel are also specialized in the analysis and testing of flavors as well as for residues of veterinary medicines in meat products.

Director of Agricultural Services and Consumer Testing Services Food, Dr Christian Hummert, opened the facility on 20 June.

Simultaneous work

It features facilities with bigger rooms for sensory panels that can accommodate up to nine testers, who can work simultaneously without affecting each other and a separate preparation room for sensory samples.

With rooms built according to the German Industry Standard (DIN), accredited tests can be offered.

Originally founded in 1960, the laboratory was one of the first private food labs in Germany and SGS acquired it in 2007.