Decernis buys USP’s Food Fraud Database

US-based technology and content solutions provider Decernis has acquired the Food Fraud Database from USP for an undisclosed price.

USP’s Food Fraud Database was initially launched in 2012 and has been designed to help food manufacturers, retailers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about the vulnerability of their food ingredients to economically motivated adulteration.

USP Global Strategic Marketing and Program senior vice-president Salah Kivlighn said: “We are very pleased to have found an appropriate home for the Food Fraud Database, which hundreds of companies depend on to help support their efforts to prevent food adulteration.”

Kivlighn noted that the divestment will allow USP and its food group to focus on the development of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) and FCC standards regarding food integrity.

USP will continue to provide critical resources to help the industry, along with regulators and other stakeholders, verify the identity, quality and purity of food ingredients.

The database is updated continuously with ingredients and related records, which are gathered from scientific literature, media publications, regulatory reports, judicial records and trade associations worldwide.

It also allows users to search, sort and generate reports as needed.

Decernis CEO Andrew Waldo said: “Decernis is very pleased that our company has been chosen as the new home for this important resource.

“Like USP, Decernis is committed to the mission of product safety, and we believe the Food Fraud Database has a significant runway for expansion through Decernis’ existing platforms, allowing us to scale this important capability and help combat intentional food adulteration.”

Decernis and USP are slated to collaborate to ensure a seamless transition for users of the service following the acquisition.