SGS acquires Central Illinois Grain Inspection

SGS has acquired Central Illinois Grain Inspection, Inc. (CIGI) for an undisclosed amount.

The privately-owned firm based in Bloomington, Illinois is a USDA licensed agency inspecting grains and bi-products for export and domestic quality settlements with growers.

It employs 15 inspectors and technicians and generated revenues of $1m in 2016.

CIGI is a member of the American Association of Grain Inspection & Weighing Agencies (AAGIWA).

"This acquisition expands our footprint in the US Midwest Corn Belt and will allow us to replicate our service offering in this region," said Frankie Ng, CEO of SGS.

Meanwhile, SGS will be launching training on environmental monitoring programs (EMP) for food facilities.

Environmental monitoring is required by the FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule when there is a risk of ready-to-eat (RTE) food being contaminated by an environmental pathogen.

The one day course will feature interactive workshops, discussions as well as case studies and practical examples. It can be public or via in-house instructor-led virtual training.