Mérieux NutriSciences’ One Quality System

Ensuring food safety for consumers worldwide requires rigorous quality controls. Our laboratories adhere to high standards, forming our One Quality System. Our internal Quality System, upheld across all laboratories within Mérieux NutriSciences’ network, surpasses the standards of any third-party labs we benchmark against.

The Mérieux NutriSciences’ One Quality System is

Independent – Not influenced by individual laboratory management preferences or interpretations.
Comparative – Utilizes global inter-laboratory data to enhance data reliability and minimize variation.
Prescriptive – Sets clear, well-defined guidelines for all labs to follow;
Real Time – Quality metrics are continuously collected and analyzed through sample process control. Any exceptions or out-of-spec results are promptly reported to analysts and management.

Explore the Pillars of Mérieux NutriSciences’ One Quality System

Our One Quality System rests on 4 pillars: our Management System, Proficiency Testing, Traceability, and Technical Competencies.

Management System

Key features include:

One Global Quality System in our 100+ labs;
Minimum 4 corporate audits annually;
Centralized and independent oversight of quality system across network;
Lab design – segregation of high risks areas, mandatory separated rooms for volatile contaminants.

Proficiency Testing

Our labs are running an active participation in several respected food laboratory proficiency programs.

A mandatory global proficiency tests (PT) program: all facilities must run the same approved PT as chosen by corporate quality;
The frequency of PT performed exceeds the sector average, with stringent pass/fail criteria;
Mérieux NutriSciences has significantly lower error rates of PT compared to other participants of PT programs.

Traceability

Key features include:

A full traceability of samples, equipment and reagents;
Our traceability is secured by multiple tools:
- Our LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), for sample traceability and CoAs;
- Zeta, a cloud-based tool used for traceability of equipment, media, and proficiency test records;
- ENVIROMAP®, a digital solution developed by Mérieux NutriSciences for laboratory environmental monitoring.

Technical Competency

Our teams undergo a multi-step competency program to ensure consistent interpretation of results across all Mérieux NutriSciences laboratories.

Key features include:

Global daily process control samples:
- Same control samples used everywhere.
- Lab performances under continuous observation and benchmark of best practices.
Proof of competency – Training of lab teams with established based on points and annual re-verification of proof of competencies.