07 May 2015 Mérieux NutriSciences inaugurates raw milk testing facility in SA
Mérieux NutriSciences has opened a raw milk testing laboratory in Jeffreys Bay, allowing the group (which entered the country via its 2012 joint venture with Swift Silliker) to better meet the clients’ expectations on the growing local market.
From a purpose-built testing facility Mérieux NutriSciences offers raw milk testing right at the heart of the dairy industry in the Eastern Cape.
Using state-of-the-art instrumentation Mérieux NutriSciences can rapidly measure and report somatic cell counts (SCC), fat, protein, lactose, total solids (TS), solids-non-fat (SnF) and urea in milk.
To further meet the Industry demand, Mérieux NutriSciences will shortly be expanding its services to perform culture testing of milk for the isolation and identification of pathogens. Antibiograms (disc diffusion susceptibility tests) will be performed to determine the sensitivity or resistance of pathogenic bacteria to various antimicrobial compounds.
Strategically located, the new laboratory brings together cutting-edge equipment, highly qualified experts and a unique quality systems program, which is standard across the Mérieux NutriSciences global network.
“This state-of-the-art laboratory enhances our ability in the region to deliver raw milk testing and faster turn-around time which is a priority to our customers,” says Valmé Stewart, MD of Mérieux NutriSciences in SA.
This new laboratory reinforces Mérieux NutriSciences‘ capacities in South Africa, which is now present in the country through its three Swift Silliker laboratories in Cape Town, Midrand, and Jeffreys Bay, and its two regional sales and consulting offices in Durban and George.