Food Research and Development Centre

Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec

The Food Research and Development Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 19 research centres. The Centre focuses on conducting research and developing methods to preserve food and maintain its quality, and to process food safely and efficiently. Research is also conducted on food ingredients having health and other benefits beyond basic nutritional values.

Food safety is also a major area of research, and in doing this work, the Centre collaborates with the University of Montreal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Through the Centre's Industrial Program, pilot plants are leased to agri-food companies in support of their small-scale food processing and testing needs. In addition, the Centre also provides extensive information retrieval and analysis services (in French only) through INITIA (formerly known as the Governors' Foundation).

Areas of Research

The Food Research and Development Centre (FRDC) helps Canada's food industry to become more competitive by conducting extensive research in the area of food processing and safety. The Centre also promotes technology development and transfer by making scientific and technical staff available to Canadian industry on various research and development projects.

Research and Innovation for Safe Food

  • Developing new processing techniques and new products
  • Developing and highlighting processed functional products that improve the health of consumers
  • Mastering the risks associated with pathogens in food processing
  • Research to identify, characterize and control food allergens, ensure operational traceability and the safety of fresh products

From Farm to Fork - Supporting the Agri-Food Industry

  • Designing projects to improve the energy efficiency of food production processes, and that preserve and improve the quality of food
  • Conducting research on foods for taste, smell and texture as well as their health properties
  • Studying the expectations of consumers regarding food quality and convenience, including storage.
  • Other areas of study: bioactive molecules, dairy ingredients, biopolymers, spectral analysis and the structure-property relationship of biomolecules

Facts, Figures and Facilities

  • 25 research scientists and a total staff of 110
  • 8,030 square metre building
  • Industrial Program
  • 3,200 square metres of pilot plants for food processing
  • 94-seat multimedia auditorium
  • Crossroads for Food Innovation Technology facility comprising four laboratories, four pilot plants and associated offices

Contact Us

3600 Casavant Boulevard West
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
J2S 8E3
Tel.: 450-773-1105 / Fax: 450-773-8461

Director of Operations: Alain Houde,
Tel.: 450-768-3273 / Fax: 450-773-8461
Email: alain.houde@agr.gc.ca

Director of Research and Development: Gabriel Piette,
Tel.: 450-768-3304 / Fax: 450-773-8461
Email: gabriel.piette@agr.gc.ca