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NSF Guelph Food Lab helps manufacturers develop and launch new products

Consumers are increasingly demanding transparent, high-quality and eco-conscious food choices, and the food industry is tasked with adapting its products to meet these requests. In fact, according to The Food Institute, shoppers are more likely to buy from brands that are upfront about their product’s ingredients and purpose than those that are not.

In a time when recalls are prevalent and brands are being examined in the media on a global scale, it is now more important than ever to ensure your food and beverage products not only meet stringent safety standards but surpass competitors in quality and innovation.

The Highest Standard

Just outside of Toronto, NSF’s Guelph Food Laboratory conducts state-of-the-art scientific testing for food products and packaging, ensuring that when a product reaches the grocery shelf, it meets both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. The laboratory offers a comprehensive suite of testing and development services for food products and packaging. It also operates within NSF’s broader ecosystem of developing health standards, testing, certification, consulting, and training for the food, water, healthcare and environmental industries.

The team of scientists at the NSF Guelph Food Laboratory includes Chris Chop, Jessie Shen and Leanne Blommaert. (Photo: NSF)

The technologists in the Guelph Food Laboratory facility design and run real-time and accelerated shelf-life studies, develop specifications, conduct packaging testing and manage full-blown product lifecycle programs with the following mission in mind: to bring food and beverage products successfully to market and keep them on shelves safely.

“Our laboratory uses cutting-edge technology and innovative testing to help clients identify and overcome development, packaging and production challenges,” said Leanne Blommaert, Manager, Research & Development, NSF. “With 80 years of industry knowledge, NSF serves as a trusted partner, helping to create compliant, safe food products, from ideation to successful launch.”

Testing for Excellence

Proving to be a valuable resource for the food industry, the Guelph Food Laboratory’s team of scientists contributes expertise and passion to each client collaboration. The lab’s support services include developing and testing formulas, specifications and verified lists of ingredient suppliers for new or existing products. Microbiological challenge studies and cooking validation studies are conducted to test for pathogens, spoilage organisms and contaminants, helping to ensure a product’s microbial profile meets stringent safety standards which safeguard public health and establish trust between consumers and food producers.

The Guelph Food Laboratory is one of a few laboratories that conduct shelf-life study services that implement both analytical testing and organoleptic testing as part of the shelf-life protocol. Organoleptic testing includes evaluating the flavor, texture, appearance, aroma, and mouthfeel of food or beverage products to ensure they meet customer expectations. NSF offers both real-time and accelerated shelf-life study design and execution services. Accelerated studies include high temperature, high humidity, high oxygen and light studies.

The NSF Guelph Food Laboratory’s process validation and challenge study services validate a product’s cooking instructions and preventative controls. The tests are customized and performed for both product and manufacturing processes to ensure food safety. (Photo: NSF)     

Fulfilling the wants and needs of consumers is vital to the success of any food business, especially when increased competition and globalization drive the need for innovation. Manufacturers seeking to make improvements to their products and recipes to make their products more palatable can work with the Guelph Food Laboratory to conduct small-scale sensory testing. A product’s attributes, composition, nutritional values and most importantly, taste, are all elements of sensory testing that can lead to the extension of a product’s life cycle and an increased return on investment. Additionally, the lab’s process validation and challenge study services validate a product’s cooking instructions and preventative controls. These tests are customized and performed for both product and manufacturing processes.

A study conducted by Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that 93.7% of Canadian survey respondents reported being personally motivated to reduce consumption of single-use plastic food packaging. As consumers become more aware of how their purchasing habits affect the environment, the food industry can cater to relevant packaging concerns and win over new customers with transparency and environmentally sound products. The Guelph Food Laboratory tests food packaging for oxygen transmission, water vapor transmission, tensile strength, bond strength, puncture resistance, slip and friction, torque and headspace, among others. Our scientists acknowledge the interconnectedness of food packaging and the environment, and work to build sustainable packaging solutions that align with the global emphasis on eco-friendly food products.

A Partner in Innovation

Recently, the laboratory partnered with Canadian beverage brand Sheesh Hash Sodas, founded in 2021, to bring their first cannabis-infused beverage to market. NSF’s Guelph Food Laboratory was tasked with sourcing ingredients from approved suppliers, testing and producing product samples and adhering to Canada’s strict marketing and labelling requirements for products containing THC. A measure of the partnership’s success was evident when the beverage won Best Beverage’ at Canada’s prestigious annual F&B Awards in 2023 and NSF’s consulting partnership with the brand has extended into 2024 as the brand plans to introduce new beverage flavors.

“Consumers want to trust that the ingredients listed on their food labels are truly in the products,” says Matt Allen, Global Senior Director, Food & Sustainability Advisory Solutions, NSF. “Our Guelph Food Laboratory is helping clients create and verify those formulations while maintaining the highest commitment to quality, compliance and sustainability.”

In addition to shelf-life studies and other product testing, the lab tests food packaging for various properties, helping brands build sustainable packaging solutions that align with the global emphasis on eco-friendly food products. (Photo: NSF)      

Building Better, Together

As consumer demands shift towards more environmentally friendly packaging options with greater concerns around ingredients and food labelling, food and beverage manufacturers must be agile and innovative when launching products and entering new markets. Partnering with the NSF Guelph Food Laboratory not only provides manufacturers with expert guidance on complicated regulatory and compliance matters but allows for small-batch experimental testing, informative feedback and revolutionary results. NSF’s team of scientists apply years of experience with a true passion for improving human and planet health — the foundational mission that drives us all forward.

Enlist the NSF Guelph Food Laboratory to help with your business today by contacting nsfcanada@nsf.org or visiting nsf.org.