From left: Arasco CEO Dr Abdulmalik Alhussaini, Arasco Chairman Eng. Abdullah Al-Rubaian, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot, President and CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences Philippe Sans, and another executive pose for a group photo during the official ceremony held on Jan. 27, 2015 in the French embassy in Riyadh to celebrate the partnership.

 

RIYADH – Mérieux NutriSciences announced recently the closing of transaction with Inspection, Diagnosis and Analysis Lab Company (IDAC), a market leader for food testing services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after obtaining the license from Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).



Following the approval of SAGIA, the joint venture will operate under the new brand name "IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences” and grow its service portfolio to meet rising demand from clients that face increased challenges in food safety and quality.



Licensed by the Saudi Food & Drugs Authority (SFDA) as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences is now privately-held by Arabian Agricultural Services Company (Arasco) as the majority shareholder and Mérieux NutriSciences.



It operates a 30,000m² testing facility, performing over 1,600 different tests in 13 specialized laboratories.



It is well rooted locally with the nationally recognized Certificate of Accreditation by Saudi Accreditation Committee (SAC).



Moreover, IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences is the only private food lab in the region that has international accreditation ISO 17025 by International Accreditation Services from the US.



As of 2015, IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences will launch a comprehensive range of solutions for clients in Saudi Arabia.



By leveraging its testing capabilities, IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences is going to redefine food safety programs for restaurants, retailers and manufacturers to make them more reliable and add more value.



Moreover, Consumer Sensory Evaluation will be added to its testing portfolio which will help food industry in the areas of R&D, quality assurance and marketing of its products.



Haitham Altraif, who has been successfully developing IDAC over the past years, remains CEO of IDAC Mérieux NutriSciences and will develop operations in the region.



“We are very pleased to complete the transaction and to begin our operation in Saudi Arabia.



By now, we are able to serve our clients in the region faster and better”, said Philippe Sans, President and CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences, at the official ceremony held on Jan. 27, 2015 in the French embassy in Riyadh to celebrate the partnership.



“After the recent approval of the Food Law by the Council of Ministers, it is time to provide value-added solutions that ensure food safety and quality.



We feel responsible for helping our clients to comply with the new regulations, protecting their brands and take consumer satisfaction to the next level.



We are looking forward to leverage the expertise of Mérieux NutriSciences and transfer the technical know-how to our local talents,” Altraif pointed out. — SG