The FAC has been acquired for an undisclosed fee, but it involved Romer Labs assuming 100% of the shares in the firm as it seeks to ramp up its presence in the growing food allergen testing market.
As part of the agreement, the FAC will be operated as a subsidiary of Romer Labs UK Ltd, under the name Romer Labs FAC. Law firm TLT acted as adviser for the acquisition.
Romer Labs is part of Austrian firm Erber Group, which specialises in safety and quality in agriculture, food and feed.
Variety of customers
Established in 2008, the FAC works with a variety of customers in the food and drink industry, as well as contract laboratories.
With expertise drawn from backgrounds in these sectors, as well as public analyst laboratories, it has developed a broad portfolio of food allergen services, including ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and enzymatic methods for a variety of analytes such as lactose, gluten, egg, milk proteins and soya.
“With the acquisition of FAC, we are underscoring our commitment to excellence in food allergen testing in the UK,” said Romer Labs managing director Eva Wanzenböck.
Food analysis sectors
“FAC has a superb reputation in the analytical community there, and their capabilities are a fine complement to our already robust portfolio of allergen testing solutions in the UK.
“We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working together to serve the food production and food analysis sectors in the UK and beyond.”
John Summers, laboratory director, Romer Labs FAC, added: “The dangers that food with allergenic content can pose to those with food allergies cannot be overestimated.
“Precision in food allergen testing is crucial to the health of millions of consumers worldwide. As the former owner of FAC and now the lab director of Romer Labs FAC, I look forward to continuing to emphasise those values that have guided us to success since our founding: customer service, scientific excellence and efficiency.”
In March, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rejected claims it should require foodservice firms to print full allergen labelling on packaged foods displayed to consumers under allergen labelling guidelines.
