UL Acquires Everclean Services, Enters Food Safety Audit Industry

NORTHBROOK, Ill. and AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UL, a world leader in advancing safety, announced today the acquisition of Everclean Services, one of North America's leading food safety audit providers.  The addition further extends UL's capabilities in the food industry, where the propagation of foodborne illnesses is a growing concern across the globe.

Everclean Services features a comprehensive assessment offering for restaurants, grocers and retailers, including audits of food safety, supplier qualifications, brand consistency and price integrity.  Everclean Services performs over 40,000 food safety and sanitation audits on over 10,000 facilities among many of North America's major food service brands.

"UL has a compelling vision for improving the safety of food across the world, and we are thrilled to be a key part of enacting it," said Jack McShane, founder and CEO of Everclean Services.  "This is a tremendous opportunity for our staff, our customers and the food service industry." 

"Everclean Services has earned a sterling reputation for its rigorous approach to auditing the safety and quality of food service environments," said Hiroshi Yamaki, president of UL's Life & Health business unit.  "With this exciting addition, UL can begin to address a food industry where safety is a paramount societal concern."

The addition of Everclean Services further broadens UL's entry into the food safety industry, at a time when U.S. foodborne illnesses have increased by 44% in the last two years.¹ Everclean Services will join the Food & Water segment of UL Life & Health, which also includes food process validation, water quality testing and water product certification.

Jack McShane and Bill Flynn will continue to manage UL's food safety auditing operations. The business will remain headquartered in Agoura Hills, CA.

About Everclean Services
Founded in 1998, Everclean Services is an established leader in the field of food safety auditing for food retailers.  Everclean Services offers credentialed and objective auditors, flexible and dynamic technology, and best-in-class programs. For more information, visit www.EvercleanServices.com.

About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history.  Employing more than 10,000 professionals in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units -- Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services – to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission.  Additional information about UL may be found at UL.com.

¹ U.S. Public Interest Research Group, October 2012

SOURCE UL