French-American company that deals with food safety, quality and sustainability Merieux NutriSciences announced on Monday that it has completed the acquisition of France-based testing and inspection organisation Bureau Veritas' food testing activities in Japan, Morocco, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

Following the recent finalisation of the deal in Canada and the US, this latest wave of closings marks a significant milestone in the previously announced global transaction, strengthening Mérieux NutriSciences' global position in food testing, inspection and certification (TIC).

This phase of the acquisition allows Merieux NutriSciences to establish a strong presence in the Japanese, Moroccan and Southeast Asian markets. The transaction also improves its capabilities in South Africa, including the addition of pharmaceutical testing solutions.

With the transaction, Merieux NutriSciences has included over 500 employees and integrated eight laboratories into its global network. This transaction is part of a broader agreement with Bureau Veritas encompassing its worldwide food laboratory testing activities, which include microbiological and chemical analysis, as well as molecular testing. Additional announcements about the completion of acquisitions in other regions, including laboratories across Asia-Pacific and Latin America, will follow as those transactions are finalised.