Covance has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TRAC Microbiology, a Madison, Wisconsin-based food microbiology and chemistry laboratory. TRAC provides testing, research, auditing, and consulting services to clients ranging from small family businesses to large food-based corporations.

"Microbiology is a key growth engine for Covance’s nutritional chemistry and food safety service offering and an area where we see tremendous opportunity to help our clients protect the global food supply," said James Lovett, Corporate senior vice president, Covance. "The acquisition of TRAC brings new scientific talent to Covance and expands the knowledge base and expertise of our microbiology staff in Madison, Wisconsin, and Battle Creek, Michigan. It also allows us to add new services such as consulting, auditing, and research."

Virginia Deibel will assume the role of director, consulting services, microbiology, at Covance. Deibel will provide consultation services on all aspects of plant operations as they relate to microbial quality and safety, and act as a liaison between clients and the FDA/USDA during product-positive events. 

The TRAC acquisition is the latest example of Covance's continued investment to expand its range of microbiological food safety capabilities and services. In October 2010, Covance opened a nutritional chemistry and food safety laboratory in Battle Creek, Michigan.