Rich’s Food Safety Lab is home to unique molecular biology and classical microbiology technology and processes that address food safety issues along the entire supply chain.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rich Products Corp., through its Rich Family Foundation, has pledged $250,000 toward the 1,396-square-foot Rich’s Food Safety Lab, located on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. The laboratory is home to unique molecular biology and classical microbiology technology and processes that address food safety issues along the entire supply chain and will be used by a number of different faculty and research groups. The laboratory has been designed to facilitate collaborative efforts among researchers from all areas of the university’s Department of Food Science.

 Bob Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Family Foundation and Rich Products Corp.

“The Rich’s Food Safety Lab is a state-of-the-art platform to support groundbreaking food safety research at Cornell University,” said Bob Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Family Foundation and Rich Products Corp. “In addition, the lab will serve as a training facility for the next generation of highly qualified food safety professionals, who will lead our industry, share their expertise and collaborate with manufacturers such as Rich’s and also with our customers, to protect the safety and availability of the global food supply.”

Rich Products is partnering with Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) in the project.

Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

“Rich Products has a long history as a leading global food supplier; a history matched by that of the Department of Food Science in food safety,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Rich Products’ gift of the Rich’s Food Safety Lab is a permanent, physical embodiment of the powerful partnership our two upstate N.Y. institutions have established. Rich Products’ generosity will allow Cornell to build on its legacy of leadership in food safety while facilitating future interdisciplinary, collaborative efforts — using state-of-the-art technologies — to ensure a safe and wholesome global food supply from New York to Shanghai.”

The Rich’s Food Safety Lab officially opened on April 29.