Intertek Acquires Additional Food Analytical Expertise with Applica

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Food, like all other traded goods today, passes through a
multitude of channels before it ends up on the very tables of the
consumers who enjoy it. As a direct result, the very acknowledgement
and essential understanding of all procedures, best practices,
policies, and standards that took each piece of food from the farm
itself to the fork it now rests on can be both challenging and
overwhelming to capture for producers, suppliers, distributors,
importers, and retailers alike.

In a continuing effort to keep clients abreast with the latest and
most innovative food technologies and services available today,
Intertek, the leading international provider of food quality and
safety services, has recently acquired the prestigious and highly
analytical Center of Excellence known as Applica GmbH (Applica) in
Bremen, Germany. Applica has established itself in the industry as an
eminent and accredited provider of applied chemical analysis for
honey, fruits, vegetable foods, pharmaceutical products, and more.

As honey, commonly known as nature's very own sweetener, continues
to gain prevalent exposure for its usefulness as both an antimicrobial
agent as well as antioxidant for health-conscious consumers across the
globe, demand for testing to ensure the purity of the product itself
increases dramatically. The testing of honey, though highly complex
and complicated in nature, can be precisely executed quite quickly
utilizing Applica's unique expertise and proficiency in bee and honey
products.

Applica's analytical and innovative methods for identifying the
quality and authenticity of a variety of foods, their state-of-the-art
measuring and analysing instruments, and their ability to offer
exceptional quality control and analytical method development services
to local pharmaceutical drug producers time and time again, make them
an essential match for Intertek.

Dr. Jochen Zoller, President of Intertek's Food Services, said,
"Intertek is pleased to acquire the expertise of Applica to expand the
services scope we can collectively offer clients across the globe
today and tomorrow. This event was in direct response to clients'
ever-changing testing and analytical needs as they continue to seek
out value-added solutions for their product, product lines, and
overall brand."

Dr. Kurt-Peter Raezke, Owner, General Manager & Head of Laboratory
Research & Development for Applica, stated, "Applica is thrilled to
join the Intertek team in providing a full suite of food related
services to clients globally with special focus on extensive
analytical testing that is now required and, in most cases, demanded
for both sustainability and success in this constantly evolving
industry."

Intertek has an expanding international network of expert
food-dedicated facilities and are currently auditing in over 60
different countries across the globe to not only extend support to the
entire food industry, but also partner with clients through every step
of their business process - enabling their overall success in the
marketplace.

For more information on Intertek food services, please go to:
www.intertek.com/food

About Intertek

Intertek is the leading international provider of quality and
safety services to a wide range of global and local industries.
Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers'
products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the
global market place. Intertek has the experience, expertise, resources
and global reach to support its customers through its extensive
network of laboratories and offices, with over 20,000 people in more
than 100 countries around the world.

www.intertek.com/food

About Applica GmbH

On the national and international market, Applica GmbH has
established itself as a well- known player within the field of applied
chemical analysis. Innovative methods and state-of-the-art measuring
and analysing instruments are coupled with a highly specialized know
how at Applica. Clients know that Applica combines analytical and
legal competence with accredited quality, thus creating confidence and
reliability.

http://www.applica.de

Intertek
Germany: Heidi Varjonen - Germany Marketing Manager
Tel: +49 711 27311 445
heidi.varjonen@intertek.com
or
Rest-of-World: Julie Naujokas - Global Communications
and Marketing Manager, Intertek Consumer Goods
Tel: +1.630.481.3114
julie.naujokas@intertek.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008