The Rise of Eurofins Produce
Produce testing for food safety is a tricky business. There are the expansive fields, the variety of crops and farms, and an end product often consumed raw with little to no treatment options. As a result, there is an endless pursuit for better pathogen testing to avoid the increasing number of produce-related outbreaks. Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories in Salinas has met this industry demand for quality, and as a result has expanded the Eurofins presence within the produce market.
Laboratory Upgrade
In May 2024, Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories (EML) Salinas transitioned from three small start-up labs to the massive, modern lab space on La Guardia Street. This new laboratory has a footprint of 9300 sq. feet, which is 4 times the size of the largest, previous Salinas testing lab buildings.
The new lab space will continue to specialize in produce testing, including rapid testing for leafy greens product testing, facilities environmental testing, water testing, and lettuce mosaic virus testing. With the increase in size, the laboratory can accommodate more samples for produce and other food industries situated along the western coast and northern California.
A Rich History and Bright Future
Eurofins Produce got its start in this region as a response to the need of leafy green farmers of the Central coast through the Salinas Valley, with the goal of providing one simple drop-off location that could support the infrastructure needed for higher throughput and 24-hour service.
EML Salinas was formed with the newly acquired laboratories of Testing Grounds Labs in King City and Yuma Arizona. With the support and partnership of the Grower Shipper Assocation (GSA), virology testing for produce seeds and a leafy greens research-based laboratory was developed inside the GSA office on Pajaro Street. To compliment the south county microbiology laboratory, the once modern Fresh Express quality control laboratory off Brunken Avenue was repurposed to support additional micro testing in the Salinas area. With these 3 labs in Monterey County, a laboratory in Yuma along and the existing Eurofins Microbiology Laboratory of Fresno California, established the framework of the Eurofins Produce sub-division.
The Salinas testing lab today represents the northern end of the Salinas Valley with the sister site in Yuma Arizona taking over primary support during the winter months, where key lab staff for these two pilar Eurofins Produce locations travel along with these industry transitions. EML Yuma is also undergoing an upgrade of its own to mirror and accommodate the expansion in Salinas, with a remodel to follow the Eurofins process excellence flow. Outside of this region Eurofins labs across the network continue to expand their focus into the produce space with the support of Salinas' knowledge and expertise.
Leading with a Purpose
The progress of EML Produce is not exclusive to industry demands. This is also a testament to the hard work of Produce business unit manager, Rafael Davila. Rafael has over 10 years of experience in the produce sector, and his friendly attitude and passion for produce and innovation has driven the success of the laboratory and the investment of Eurofins into the produce market.
“We are really excited! Combining the optimal laboratory space for high-throughput microbiology with Rafael’s leadership and his understanding on the needs of the produce market, Eurofins is strategically positioned to effectively service the industry, while sharing transparency in our laboratory methods and driving innovation to continuously meet customer’s expectations.” - Anne Chi, Regional Cluster Leader of Eurofins Microbiology West.
With continued internal investment as well as increased industry demand for strong science and heighted safety culture, the ceiling for Eurofins produce in Salinas and across the United States is yet to be defined.
“We aim to provide technical support, transparency and high-quality science-based methods to create the most value-add for the invested in testing.” - Rafael Davila
