Chicago-based Mérieux NutriSciences Corp. today announced it has acquired Total Quality Food Consultants, thereby expanding its global portfolio of regulatory, scientific and marketing services to the food and non-food industries.

Founded in 1992 by Giuseppe Patat, Total Quality Food Consultants (or TQF) is headquartered in Verona, Italy. TQF provides in-depth informational and consulting services, which include a digital gateway to regulatory and scientific updates, nutritional and marketing label review and consulting, product conformity review, and product registration services. Following the acquisition, Patat will stay on as a consultant in R&D and strategic marketing to assist in the company’s integration.

Among its range of services, TQF specializes in regulatory expertise, offering certification for 46 parameters of compliance in 147 countries for more than 100 product categories. Additionally, TQF offers an on-line regulatory, scientific and marketing label translation tool applicable to 60 countries in 35 languages. Finally, TQF’s consulting and project-based services include product conformity review and export conformity modeling for food labels.

“This investment supports our strategy to continue to expand our service offering for the food and non-food industries,” stated Philippe Sans, president and CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences. “Acquiring Total Quality Food Consultants strengthens our footprint with an innovative global platform for our clients' regulatory, scientific and marketing requirements, which can be leveraged internationally within the Mérieux NutriSciences’ network. In a rapidly evolving, global regulatory framework with the continued acceleration of the international food trade, the acquisition of TQF further enhances our service offerings for our clients.”

Patat remarked, “Total Quality Food Consultants will benefit from the strength of Mérieux NutriSciences’ worldwide network to broaden our market reach. Shared values, an entrepreneurial culture and united strategic vision underscore the basis of my decision to have TQF become part of Mérieux NutriSciences.”