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Conestoga Applied Research
Conestoga Applied Research
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Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

As an applied food research lab, the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL) meets the needs of industry through research and technical expertise. Our advanced facilities are essential in providing solutions for small, medium, and large businesses in the food and culinary sector. Our focus is to work with partners to provide innovative solutions and support throughout the product development cycle, including formula development, shelf-life studies, packaging testing, and scale-up using our pilot plant equipment. 

In 2023 CFRIL was awarded the Minister's Award of Excellence and the Excellence in Research and Innovation award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. 

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Facilities and services

Product and process development

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Laboratory services

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Packaging innovation

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Virtual tour

Take a virtual tour of our facility located at our Cambridge - Fountain Street campus.

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CFRIL impact

Broiler chicken

CFRIL collaboration improves poultry welfare tools

Driven by their focus on animal welfare, Cargill Limited, one of Canada’s largest processors of beef, poultry, and livestock feed products, along with a leading Canadian packaging company, Cascades, partnered with the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL) to develop solutions to further enhance their animal welfare practices creating an enriched environment for Cargill’s broiler chickens.
Easy Eats cookbook cover

CNERG: Application of culinary techniques to improve the palatability of meals for individuals with dysphasia

This project developed a novel approach to improving the palatability of modified diets for dysphagia patients by combining culinary techniques with food science.
Crafty Ramen frozen mealkit

Perfecting quality: Crafty Ramen partners with CFRIL to optimize frozen noodle texture

Crafty Ramen is a Guelph-based restaurant, noodle shop, and market. Founded in 2017 by Jared and Miki Ferrall, Crafty Ramen has expanded from a single restaurant location in Guelph to multiple locations around the Kitchener-Waterloo area, an e-commerce division, meal kit partnerships, and a selection of their ramen in major grocery stores.  
More CFRIL impact

Our team

Carol Zweep headshot

Carol Zweep, M.Sc., CPP

Packaging researcher

Cynthia Riddle headshot

Cynthia Riddle

Researcher

Nicole Detlor

Nicole Detlor, M.Sc., P.Eng.

Director, Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Sujit Abraham headshot

Sujit Abraham 

Researcher

Tracy Butt headshot

Tracy Butt, M.Sc., PMP

Researcher

Tyler Williams

Tyler Williams

Senior packaging researcher

By the numbers (2024) 

56
Partners
69
Active projects
50
Students hired

Contact

See how the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab can help you access faculty expertise, student employees, and the college's innovative lab spaces and equipment.

cfril@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220

850 Fountain Street South

Cambridge, Ontario N3H 0A8, Canada

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