SGS Kenya Opens New Pesticides MRL Testing Laboratory in Mombasa

Mombasa, Kenya, November 07, 2014 --(PR.com)-- SGS’ new Pesticides Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) Laboratory in Mombasa, Kenya was officially opened last week during a ceremony hosted by Albert Stockell, Managing Director, SGS Kenya Limited, and attended by government officials and local dignitaries including, Dr. Johnson Irungu, Director of Crops Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Pesticides Testing and Food Safety in Kenya

Kenya operates in a global market and its horticultural industry is part of the extended global supply chain, where adherence to global food safety standards is paramount. Equipped with state of the art LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS systems which can achieve detection levels as low as 5 PPB, SGS’s Mombasa laboratory now has the capability to test 451 compounds, all validated according to SANCO criteria and therefore meeting EU standards, making it possible for SGS Kenya to test vegetables and fruits for export to the EU. This investment also opens the door to other quality sensitive markets such as the USA, Japan and Korea.

Expanded Capabilities for SGS Kenya

“This is a landmark event for both SGS and Kenya’s agriculture industry at a time when the horticultural industry is pressing hard for a technically advanced, full scope, fast and reliable analytical service to support both local monitoring programs and export quality analysis,” said Mr Stockell, Managing Director, SGS Kenya. “We have assembled an excellent technical team and embarked on an intensive training program for our chemists, some of whom spent several weeks at the SGS overseas R&D centers to undergo hands-on training.”

In addition to the lab’s ISO 17025 accreditation, it recently has been re-assessed by Kenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) and currently is the only private lab in Kenya designated for pesticides residue analysis for the registration of pest protection products.

About SGS Food Safety Services

SGS is committed to keeping readers informed of regulation news and developments. Leveraging a global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solution including analytical tests, pesticide residue testing (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Food/Primary-Production/Testing-and-Analytical-Services/Pesticide-Residue-Testing.aspx), audits, certifications, inspections and technical support. The company continually invests in capable work testing and state-of-the-art technology to help clients reduce risk, improve food safety, and quality.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.