SGS Acquires Murray-Brown Laboratories to Bolster North American Food Safety and Nutraceutical Testing

SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company, has announced the acquisition of Murray-Brown Laboratories, a nationally recognised food testing facility based in Denver, Colorado.

The move marks a significant expansion of SGS’s operational footprint in North America, a region currently leading the global food safety testing market due to stringent regulatory frameworks and active food recall management. The acquisition is designed to enhance SGS's capabilities in advanced microbial detection and analytical chemistry, specifically targeting the needs of producers, manufacturers, and retailers facing tightening FDA and USDA compliance standards.

Regulatory Pressure and Rapid Testing

The acquisition is driven by a shifting landscape in food safety regulation. SGS cites an increased demand for rapid, high-precision testing services fueled by stricter oversight and a rise in reported foodborne illnesses.

Jodi Jurgens, Head of SGS's Food Group in North America, commented on the market dynamics: "Over the past few years, we have seen an increased demand for rapid and advanced testing services from our North American clients - driven by stricter FDA and USDA regulations, an increase in foodborne illnesses, and consumer demand for safe and high-quality foods."

By integrating Murray-Brown’s Denver facility, SGS strengthens its geographical reach and service scope, enabling faster turnaround times for clients in the region.

Nutraceuticals and PCR Technology

Beyond standard food safety, the deal adds specific technical competencies to the SGS network:

Analytical Chemistry: Enhanced capabilities for pesticide and mycotoxin detection.

Nutraceuticals: Murray-Brown brings specialised testing services for kratom, kava, and hemp, sectors that require rigorous quality assurance as they mature.

Pathogen Detection: The acquisition expands SGS’s capacity to offer PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and advanced microbial pathogen detection. These DNA-based molecular methods are critical for the rapid identification of contaminants, aligning with the FDA's increasing volume of microbial assays.

'Strategy 27'

This acquisition is a tactical step in SGS's broader "Strategy 27" corporate roadmap. The strategy explicitly targets the doubling of North American sales between 2023 and 2027 by capitalising on megatrends such as nutritional transparency and food safety expectations.

SGS currently operates six state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited labs across the United States. The addition of Murray-Brown Laboratories reinforces this infrastructure, supporting North American manufacturers in navigating complex local and global market access requirements.