Nova Scotia testing centre granted $400k to expand capacity

The federal government grants $411,434 to the Acadia Laboratory for Agri-Food and Beverage (ALAB), an analytical lab providing research and analytical services to the wine, craft beverage and food industries in Nova Scotia.

This investment will support the purchase of specialized testing equipment, expanding ALAB’s capacity for ISO-accredited analytical testing. The contribution will also support a marketing plan and digitization upgrades to streamline the process for ordering lab tests. Together, these improvements will allow ALAB to offer its analytics and quality control testing services to the other Atlantic provinces.

ALAB provides analysis of a variety of tests, including alcohol levels, sugars, organic acids, volatile compounds, metals, ethyl carbamate and synthetic dyes and more, in alcoholic beverages and agri-foods. These analyses provide product quality assurance and help producers meet government regulations. Additionally, ALAB works with producers to facilitate new product development.

“Helping ALAB work faster and smarter means more support for folks working in our region’s craft beverage industry. This federal investment will help producers create great products, bring in new customers, and grow their businesses right here at home,” said Gudie Hutchings, minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The funding is provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF).