Guelph Food Technology Centre Merges with NSF International

The Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC), a Canadian leader in food safety certification, training, quality and technical solutions, has merged with NSF International, a global public health and safety organization with a similar legacy in food safety and training.

6 Feb 2013 --- As a result, GFTC's current members and clients will benefit from a broad array of NSF food safety training, auditing and certification services that include seafood, organic and global food safety certifications as well as support from NSF International, the largest food safety certifier in the agriculture sector with a global network of auditors and testing laboratories.

Going forward, the organization will be known as NSF-GFTC. The NSF-GFTC team and location will remain in Guelph, Ontario, as will their dedication to helping Canadian farmers, processors and manufacturers remain competitive with innovative solutions to help improve their products and processes.

NSF International has been committed to the safety and success of the Canadian marketplace for more than 50 years and supports the food industry throughout Canada. Both organizations are leaders in food safety, training, quality and technical solutions in their own right and, collectively, NSF-GFTC can now export Canadian food safety expertise to other countries utilizing NSF's global infrastructure, as NSF International operates in more than 150 countries. Canadian multinationals now have a food safety organization, which supports their international growth with global farm to fork services.

NSF-GFTC clients will now have access to a wider range of technical resources to develop new products and meet global food safety standards, which incorporate sustainable practices. Clients will also have the support of a global network of associated laboratories in Europe, China, the U.S. and Latin America.

Currently, NSF-GFTC offers more than 180 training courses, with a focus on food safety, regulatory and HACCP, including its Global Food Safety and Quality Benchmarked Standards series. These courses support NSF-GFTC's designation as a Licensed Training Center for SQF (Safe Quality Food) and its Approved Training Establishment status for BRC (British Retail Consortium). The combined food safety certification expertise includes NSF as the North American leader in certifications to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standards, and NSF-GFTC, the largest Canadian certifier to SQF that also certifies to CanadaGAP, further expanding NSF's agriculture services.

"The globalization of the supply chain creates a need for global solutions. Adding GFTC's food safety expertise to our global food division will enable us to expand services to Canadian and multinational companies to help strengthen their food safety practices and stay competitive," said Kevan P. Lawlor, NSF International President and CEO.

"We share NSF's same values and vision. Our services are the ideal complement to NSF's excellence in providing food safety certification, auditing, training and technical services. We look forward to providing a broader array of food safety services to members and clients both domestically and abroad," said Petra Schennach, GFTC President and Chief Operating Officer.

Proceeds from the merger will establish GFTC Legacy Inc., which will provide for University of Guelph undergraduate scholarships, cooperative education and internship opportunities; programs to help improve innovation for food processors; scholarship trusts for future Canadian food technologists; and GFTC member training reinvestment support.

In addition to food safety services, NSF International also provides water quality and sustainability services to test and certify products that come in contact with drinking water and to help companies green their products, operations, systems and supply chains.