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Food safety and certification group FoodChain ID has acquired Brazilian certification body Sbcert, strengthening its position in livestock traceability and compliance services amid rising scrutiny of agri-food supply chains and export standards.
The acquisition brings FoodChain ID direct access to Brazil’s official cattle and buffalo traceability system, SISBOV, a critical requirement for meat exports to markets including the European Union.
Brazil is one of the world’s largest beef exporters, and traceability has become a growing focus for regulators, retailers and food manufacturers amid concerns over deforestation, animal welfare and supply chain transparency.
Sbcert is a leading certification body in Brazil, specialising in audits and conformity assessments across agriculture and food production. It is best known for its role in SISBOV certification, which tracks individual animals throughout their lives to verify origin and production practices.
FoodChain ID said the deal would enhance its global offering in food safety, product certification and traceability, expanding its ability to serve customers operating in complex, highly regulated markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The move comes as food and beverage companies face tightening regulations and buyer requirements linked to sustainability, origin verification and market access. In Europe, new rules such as the EU Deforestation Regulation are increasing pressure on suppliers to demonstrate traceable, compliant sourcing, particularly for animal-derived products.
“Brazil is a strategically important market for global food and feed supply chains,” said Heather Secrist, senior vice president of technical services for the Americas at FoodChain ID.
She continued: “Adding Sbcert strengthens our ability to support customers navigating food safety, traceability and sustainability requirements, combining local expertise with global reach”.
Sbcert director Matheus Witzler added: "This partnership allows us to grow further by combining our deep expertise in agri-food traceability and certification with FoodChain ID’s globally trusted knowledge, reach and services, delivering even greater value to our customers and partners, not only in Brazil, but also in other markets where our customers require access to our combined know-how”.
FoodChain ID said the acquisition expands its ability to serve customers in more than 100 countries, offering services including certification, regulatory compliance, testing, traceability and sustainability programmes.