The Food Processing Development Centre provides research and development facilities for companies of all sizes, from small, developing, entrepreneurial businesses to larger corporations.

Eligibility Criteria

Alberta's food processors, food service and beverage companies.

Summary

Approximately 125 companies use the Centre's facilities to develop and market new food products each year. Staff at the Food Processing Development Centre are helping clients develop specialized products to meet a variety of domestic and international consumer demands.

As an integral part of Alberta Agriculture and Food's Food Processing Development Division, the Centre is a modern, fully equipped pilot plant and product development laboratory facility. It's staffed with experienced food scientists, engineers and technologists. Centre services are designed to strengthen and expand the capability of Alberta's food processors to meet the challenges of the marketplace through application of new technology and the development of new or improved products and processes.

Product Development
New product success is elusive. Shifting consumer trends and technological advances require motivated leadership in new or improved food product development. Consumer awareness of health, nutrition, safety, convenience and packaging determine product success or failure in a changing marketplace. Product development specialists and sophisticated laboratory developmental facilities ensure YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE...concept to finished products. Major areas of support and services include:

• technical consultation (food scientists; engineer)
• concept analysis and development
• laboratory and pilot plant product development
• prototype design and demonstration
• sensory evaluation
• interim processing
• quality control / quality assurance specifications

An extensive test kitchen facility allows Centre personnel to simulate consumer, food service and institutional food preparation methods. Sensory evaluation facilities are used to determine consumer acceptability. Studies with both trained panelists and consumers are used to evaluate food flavor, appearance and texture associated with ingredient / process modifications, product quality and shelf-life. They are also used for test market introduction and to monitor competitive products.

Pilot Plant / Process Development
The equipment and facilities within the Centre's pilot plant have the design and flexibility for process development, manufacture and packaging of a variety of food commodities. Pilot plant equipment can simulate industrial production to assess and evaluate product or process performance. Private industry is also invited to utilize the pilot plant for limited production on an interim basis.

The Centre is a registered establishment with the Canadian Food Inspection Agncy (CFIA), and operates as establishment 442 in meat, establishment 284 in processed products and establishment 4391 in dairy. The facility is also HACCP recognized.

Pilot plant equipment can be integrated to provide a process made up of unit operations such as size reduction, drying, separation, heat transfer, extrusion processing, concentration, smoking, packaging and mixing. A complete forming, batter / breading, frying and freezing line is also available and can be arranged in any required sequence.

Pilot plant services to provide the transition between bench-top development and commercial production are available to: food processors, entrepreneurs, industrial or commodity groups, university researchers, federal or provincial agriculture personnel and suppliers of equipment, ingredients and packaging. Engineering services are also available for process evaluation and assistance with equipment selection.

Technical Services
Centre specialists are available to provide in-plant technical consultation and advisory services in trouble shooting, quality control / quality assurance, product development, plant start-up, and process or equipment modifications.

Centre facilities and expertise are available on a contractual basis to clients. Whether you choose to contract Centre services and staff or provide your own staff, Centre resources are committed to product excellence and market success.

Assurance of Confidentiality
To protect and respect the interest of its clients, the Food Processing Development Division holds all its client services in strict confidence.

For more information on food businesses see the web page: Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10021

• Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator
• Food Safety Enhancement Program
• Food Labelling
• AFSC Commercial Loan Program
• Ag and Food Processing Programs

• Food Processing Development Centre

Alberta Contact:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
6309 - 45th Street
Leduc, Alberta  T9E 7C5
Telephone: 780-986-4793
Fax: 780-986-5138
Toll-free (information): call 310-0000 then enter 780 986-4793 for Alberta toll-free
Website: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/fpdc