i2 FAST

What i2 FAST does

i2 FAST is a UKAS-accredited food testing laboratory founded in 2019 and headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom. The company provides five core testing services to the food and allied industries: pesticide screening (one of the largest in the UK, covering 600+ active compounds via GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS), microbiology testing (rapid presumptive detection of Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli O157 within 24-30 hours), nutritional analysis, allergen testing (UKAS-accredited across gluten, casein, egg, soy, peanut, and others), and mycotoxin testing for aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Operations are conducted across a custom-built 27,000 sq/ft laboratory in Hemel Hempstead and a 40,000 sq/ft nutritional testing facility in Ruda Slaska, Poland, with samples transferred between sites using a validated temperature-controlled process.

The company's underlying technology centres on a custom-developed Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and proprietary data management system built in-house, which handles sample registration, data access, trending, and an automated Out-of-Specification reporting workflow. The platform integrates a daily-updated EU and GB Maximum Residue Level (MRL) database with National Estimate of Short Term Intake (NESTI) calculations for toxicity risk assessment. An in-house refrigerated courier network supports sample collection across the UK.

i2 FAST generates revenue on a usage-based model, charging per sample and test type against a non-publicly-disclosed rate card, with quotations valid for one year and monthly billing. Go-to-market is enterprise-focused: dedicated account managers handle each client with direct involvement from senior management, supported by technical training courses and industry events. Since May 2023, the company has operated as a subsidiary of Normec Group, a European specialist in testing, inspection, certification, and compliance, with customer-facing email addresses transitioning to the normecgroup.com domain. The customer base is concentrated in fresh produce and food manufacturing, with named enterprise clients including JDM Food Group, Worldwide Fruit, Greencell, Natures Way Ltd, and Provenance Partners.

Name

i2 FAST

Legal name

i2 FAST Ltd.

Website

https://i2fast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

i2 FAST is a UKAS-accredited food testing laboratory providing pesticide, microbiology, nutritional, allergen, and mycotoxin testing services to food manufacturers, processors, and fresh produce companies across the UK and Europe, operating a custom LIMS platform from laboratories in Hemel Hempstead and Ruda Slaska as a Normec Group subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Testing Services / Analytical Laboratory Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Pesticide Residue Testing (MRLs, Multi-Residue Methods) (AFALAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residue & Contaminant Testing (Pesticides, Vet Drugs, Mycotoxins, Heavy Metals) (AFALAAAF), Environmental Monitoring & Hygiene Verification (Swabs, ATP, Pathogen Monitoring) (AFALAAAE), Regulatory Compliance Testing (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALADAA)

Keywords

• Food testing services
• Pesticide residue testing
• Microbiology testing
• Nutritional analysis
• Food safety laboratory

Headquarters

HQ city

Hemel Hempstead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Testing Services: Food testing laboratory providing analytical testing services. Charges are based on the number of samples and services provided, calculated according to quotation and rate card. Testing services include microbiology, pesticides, nutritional analysis, allergens, and mycotoxins.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Normec i2 FAST is a UKAS ISO 17025 accredited food testing laboratory providing analytical testing services across five categories: pesticide residue screening (multi-residue screen covering 600+ actives), microbiology testing (rapid pathogen detection for Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157), nutritional analysis, allergen testing, and mycotoxin testing (Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A). Services are billed per sample based on a published rate card with quotations valid for one year, with results delivered through a custom-developed LIMS portal with daily-updated EU/GB MRL data.

Product overview

Normec i2 FAST is a scientifically founded and led food testing laboratory providing a comprehensive array of testing services across five core areas: Pesticide Testing Services (multi-residue screening with 600+ actives), Microbiology Testing Services (rapid pathogen detection for Salmonella, Listeria, E.coli O157), Nutritional Testing Services (accredited macronutrient and micronutrient analysis), Allergen Testing Services (UKAS accredited testing for gluten, milk, egg, soy, mustard, sesame, almond, celery), and Mycotoxin Testing Services (Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A analysis). The company operates a proprietary Bespoke LIMS Portal for sample management and data access, complemented by Training Services for the food industry. Testing is conducted across two laboratories in Hemel Hempstead, UK (27,000 sq.ft. for microbiology and pesticides) and Ruda Slaska, Poland (40,000 sq.ft. for nutritional testing).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pesticide Testing Services Multi-residue pesticide screening (MRPS) covering 600+ active compounds using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, including Dithiocarbamates, Chlorate, Perchlorate, and heavy metal analysis. Reports detail EU/GB MRLs, NESTI toxicity calculations, and authorisation status. Targeted at food manufacturers, fresh produce suppliers, and retailers requiring regulatory pesticide residue compliance.
• Microbiology Testing Services Rapid pathogen testing for Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli O157 with presumptive results within 24 hours (Salmonella, E. coli O157) and 30 hours (Listeria), plus confirmation within 48 hours. Also includes comprehensive shelf life testing services for food safety compliance. Targeted at food manufacturers and retailers needing pathogen screening.
• Nutritional Testing Services Accredited nutritional analysis covering Group 1 parameters (Ash, Carbohydrates, Energy, Moisture, Protein, Fat) and Group 2 parameters (Dietary fibre, Fatty acid profile, Sodium, Sugar), plus meat/fish content testing and specialty analyses. Standard 5-day turnaround with express 3-day service. Targeted at food producers needing labeling compliance.
• Allergen Testing Services UKAS accredited allergen testing for Gluten (R5 Mendez), Casein, Beta-Lactoglobulin, Egg, Soy, Mustard, Sesame, Almond, and Celery, with standard 2-day turnaround and next-day/same-day options available. Targeted at food manufacturers and processors managing allergen cross-contamination risk and validating cleaning programs.
• Mycotoxin Testing Services Specialist mycotoxin testing for Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 (and total) and Ochratoxin A across matrices including nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruits, cereals, coffee, and cocoa products, with 1–5 day turnaround options. Targeted at food producers requiring mycotoxin contamination monitoring.
• Training Services Technical training courses covering pesticide testing, food microbiology, allergen detection, mycotoxin management, crisis management, and BRC standards, delivered both in-person at i2 FAST laboratory facilities and online. Targeted at food industry technical and quality professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Presumptive Salmonella and E. coli O157 results within 24 hours
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Normec GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2023In 2023, i2 FAST officially became part of Normec Group, a renowned specialist in testing, inspection, certification, and compliance across a wide range of industries with strong presence throughout Europe. This partnership strengthens capabilities and allows continued delivery of high-quality analytical services with added expertise and resources.
• Fresh Produce Training & DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration with Fresh Produce Training & Development (specialist consultancy run by David Kennedy and Malcolm Laidlaw) to deliver training courses on microbiology risks, crisis management, and fresh produce safety. Joint development and presentation of educational content for the food industry.
• AUDAX AuditsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker collaboration for pesticide testing training courses. Phil Gurney from AUDAX Audits provides pesticide legislation expertise as part of educational programs.
• HKN Food SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation with Damian Hankin (HKN Food Safety) for BRC Food V8-V9 Key Changes Awareness training course delivery.
• Sainsbury'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker Fran Ferrando from Sainsbury's participated in pesticide testing training course to provide retailer perspective on testing requirements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NSF International: Global public-health and safety organisation with food safety testing, certification and audit services; overlaps with i2 FAST on retailer-routed food testing and safety certification.
• SGS: Largest global TIC group offering food testing as part of a much broader inspection, certification and commodities portfolio; competes with i2 FAST on retailer-routed food-safety programmes.
• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC group with Agri-Food testing lines including pesticide residue and contaminant panels; competes for enterprise food-safety testing contracts in Europe.
• Intertek: Global TIC incumbent with significant food and agri-testing operations serving retailers and manufacturers, offering overlapping pesticide, allergen and microbiology services.

Direct peers

• ALS Limited: International testing services group with dedicated food and environmental testing laboratories offering pesticide, microbiology and nutritional analysis to the same food-manufacturing customer base.
• Mérieux NutriSciences: Specialist food testing and consulting division of Institut Mérieux serving food manufacturers and retailers worldwide, directly comparable in microbiology, pesticide residue and contaminant testing scope.
• Fera Science: UK-based food and environmental testing laboratory spun out of Fera; directly comparable in pesticide residue, microbiology and contaminant testing for UK food producers and retailers.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in food, environmental and pharmaceutical testing; operates one of the largest food-testing laboratory networks in Europe with overlapping pesticide, microbiology and mycotoxin services for retailers and manufacturers.
• Neogen Corporation: Food safety testing and genomics company serving the same food and allied industries with pathogen, allergen and mycotoxin testing and diagnostic products.

Others

• Campden BRI: UK-based food industry research and member association that defines retailer audit schemes (including RSA Level GOLD awarded to i2 FAST) and runs proficiency testing; adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/i2_FAST

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about i2 FAST