Nestled in the heart of Canada's fourth largest wine region, Acadia University has been a leader in wine and grape research since 2009. The 2017 launch of the Acadia Laboratory for Agri-Food and Beverage (ALAB) extended this reputation by providing essential testing for Nova Scotia's craft beverage and food producers. Now, with new support from Acadia University and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), ALAB is set to take a leap once again, benefiting even more Atlantic Canadian producers and consumers.
Supporting local producers, enhancing products, and protecting consumers
ALAB's ISO/IEC-accredited services have helped more than 150 clients bring their best wine, beer, cider, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages to local, regional, national, and international markets. Its precise testing (covering factors like alcohol content, sugars, volatile compounds, and compounds regulated by Health Canada) ensure those products comply with regulatory and export standards. ALAB's science-rooted analyses not only safeguard consumers but also help craft producers manufacture consistent existing and in-development beverages and food.
Scaling with expanded capabilities, greater efficiencies, and greener processes
While ALAB has primarily and sustainably served Nova Scotia- and PEI-based businesses, the three-year pilot will scale ALAB's offerings to clients across the east coast. The project is focused on enhancing lab capacity and testing abilities, launching a digitized client portal, and implementing greener practices, enabling ALAB to increase its efficiencies and improve customer service while making way for more clients from New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Planned upgrades include:
- Expanded ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation to test a wider range of compounds;
- New equipment, including an updated Skalar, centrifuge, nitrogen evaporator, and a nitrogen generator. These will boost testing capacities while reducing the lab's environmental footprint by requiring less energy and chemical use.
- A digital portal where clients can instantly access their testing results and certificates, saving them time and making record-keeping and comparisons easier; and
- Hiring an additional full-time technician to carry out the anticipated increased lab work. A consultant will also be engaged to lead client expansion, guide business optimization, and provide regulatory insights.
"ALAB is about more than just lab services," said Leigh Huestis, Executive Director of Acadia's Office of Industry and Community Engagement. "It's about improving public safety, fostering business and economic growth, and opening the door to showcase the world-class talent and products we have right here in Atlantic Canada. Acadia University is proud to be part of this exciting chapter for our region and grateful to ACOA for their game-changing support of this pilot."
Expanding horizons through local expertise
Before ALAB was established, Nova Scotia's wine and craft beverage producers would typically send their pre-market samples to Quebec, Ontario, or California for necessary testing and certification. This border hopping came with added time, costs, and paperwork.
Thanks to ALAB's remarkable accessibility, local and regional producers have enjoyed a much faster and efficient experience; some clients even visit the lab and speak to the technicians in-person to get a better understanding of the lab results. Beyond the time and cost savings, this service has allowed several entrepreneurs to make timely tweaks to their production processes and recipes, resulting in them bringing perfected products to market faster.
Others have expanded their sales internationally thanks to ALAB's ability to help clients meet different countries' export requirements. In 2023, ALAB received its status as the designated lab to undertake the testing for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture for NS Wine Export Certificates to the European Union, providing the first EU Wine Export Certificates in the spring of 2024. This support adds positive economic impacts to the community and is introducing more of the world to the Annapolis Valley's impressive offerings.
Improved public safety through retailers
ALAB's largest and perhaps most impactful partnership is with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC). Since 2021, ALAB and the NSLC have delivered on the Quality Assurance Product Testing (QAPT) Program, ensuring beverages sold in stores meet health and safety standards. As part of the program, products are tested for alcohol content and other key metrics, elevating consumer safety.
"As a significant partner in our product testing program, ALAB has played an integral role in ensuring that our products meet our quality standards and federal regulations," said Dave DiPersio, Senior Vice President - Corporate Affairs at the NSLC. "It's been extremely valuable to have access to an accredited lab here in Nova Scotia for us, and local industry. Thanks to ACOA for being a critical funding partner."
On the ground floor of fast-rising markets
There's more to ALAB's story than booze. Roughly 20% of ALAB's testing is with non-alcoholic beverages, a product category that is steadily rising as lower alcohol consumption trends continue. Kombucha, craft soda, non-alcoholic beer, and canned mocktail producers have been able to break into markets after working with ALAB to ensure accurate non-alcoholic and nutritional labelling.
Broadening horizons for Acadia University students
ALAB's expansion is also good news for the University's budding chemists. The team hires co-op students each year who gain invaluable lab time to complement their experiential education at Acadia. The increased testing capacity will mean undergrads entering chemistry fields will have plenty of opportunities to put their science know-how into career-boosting action.
Stay tuned for more success stories out of ALAB
ALAB's expansion is more than just a milestone for the lab it's a signal of the exciting future awaiting Atlantic Canada's craft beverage and agri-food sectors. By providing the tools and expertise for producers to innovate and grow, Acadia and ALAB are setting the stage for business and economic upgrades and collaboration.
