Food Certification Scotland (FCS), an independent food inspector, has been bought by a management buy-out team for an undisclosed sum.

Food Certification Scotland (FCS), an independent food inspector, has been bought by a management buy-out team for an undisclosed sum.

FCS executive director Martin Gill said: “This is great news for FCS and provides an excellent opportunity to really diversify our scope of operation.”

Inverness-based FCS provides accredited product conformity certification to the Scottish farmed and smoked salmon sector. This includes awarding Protected Geographical Indication status, the Tartan Quality Mark and Label Rouge designation for the Scottish and French markets.

The company, which was formed in 1997, has eight staff and a net worth of some £200,000. It is the only food certification body outside of France to hold the Label Rouge approval.

The body is also seeking full accreditation as a certification body for the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. It is also working with Swedish fishing company Astrid Fiske AB and associated processing companies on their progress through full MSC assessment of the Swedish North Sea Purse seine fishery.