New laboratory opened in Estcourt to ensure food safety

By: Food Focus on 06 June 2018

New laboratory opened in Estcourt to ensure food safety

Image: Eskort Limited Chief Executive Officer Arnold Prinsloo with Professor Pieter Gouws from the
Stellenbosch University during the official opening of the microbiology laboratory at the factory.

 

 

“Food safety is non-negotiable.” These were the words of Professor Pieter Gouws, Head of Microbiology at the Stellenbosch University when he opened the new microbiology laboratory at Eskort Limited last Wednesday.

 

In their quest to keep their products free from the deadly disease listeria, Eskort Limited is constantly striving to be leaders in testing and knowledge.

 

 

 

 

This is one of the primary reasons that the company partnered with Professor Gouws who provided advice on the risks of listeriosis and how to manage it. This partnership yielded positive results when the Professor visited the factory last week to officially open the microbiology laboratory.

 

This laboratory has been relocated to inside the administration block of the factory where more accurate testing will be done, based on the advice from Professor Gouws.

The lab has also been upgraded to ensure that high quality and stringent testing is conducted. Speaking shortly before cutting the ribbon at the lab entrance, Professor Gouws was thanked for being a ‘pillar of strength’ and Eskort management said they were honoured to work with him to ensure that the new lab will make a huge contribution towards the quality of products that customers purchase.

 

Professor Gouws said it was a great privilege to be part of the project, remarking that this was his first lab opening. He added that in-house testing contributed greatly to the safety of food products.

“There is huge potential in this company to become leaders in the food industry, you already are leaders in the country,” commented Professor Gouws.

Once the ribbon was cut and plaque unveiled, the team proceeded inside the lab where the various equipment was examined.