About Us

The Kansas Value-Added Foods Lab, is located in Call Hall and includes facilities, equipment, and instruments for bench top food product development, packaging, and physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses of foods. Part of the facility is specifically designated for accelerated shelf-life testing of food products, and is equipped with controlled atmosphere incubators.

Our staff offers food-related businesses, processors, and entrepreneurs numerous services. These include the following:

• Process requests and inquiries in regard to new food concepts.
• Assist in the production of new foods or consult on methods of adding value to existing ones.
• Perform physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory evaluations.
• Conduct shelf-life tests to determine expiration date.
• Review product labels for compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Generate nutritional information panels from available databases.
• Offer HACCP, Better Process Control School, and other food safety training.
• Act as a "Processing Authority," as defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Suggest suppliers for ingredients, packaging materials, and equipment.
• Answer questions concerning food processing rules and regulations.
• Offer publications on food processing issues such as labeling and sanitation.

The Kansas Value Added Foods Lab provides food science students a chance to gain real world experience by testing products, connecting with buineeses and developing their customer service skills. Read more about the student experience in the K-State Agriculturist story "The Science of Food."

 

 

The Kansas Value-Added Foods Lab is part of K-State Research and Extension, and therefore, does not compete with other diagnostic laboratories. Fees are assessed to cover materials and use of equipment.

Disclaimer: The information available through the Kansas Value Added Foods Lab is provided as a public service and for educational purposes only. All efforts have been made to ensure the material on this web site is accurate and up to date. However, Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and the Kansas Value Added Foods Lab cannot be held responsible for any circumstances resulting from its use, unavailability, or possible inaccuracy. Also, reference in this web site to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation.