US meat processor Tyson Foods has opened its newly expanded and upgraded laboratory, located in Springdale, Arkansas.


Tyson said the US$5.2m expansion has more than tripled the laboratory’s square footage, and is aimed at increasing the company’s capabilities in analytical testing and food safety research.


In addition, the laboratory is accredited by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service in microbiology and chemistry to test products for the exportation of poultry products to the Russian Federation.


With the integration of new equipment and technology, the facility will test samples from 68 Tyson production facilities nationwide.


The new laboratory is one of 18 in the Tyson Food Safety and Laboratory Services Network.