The LCBO Quality Assurance Laboratory offers a series of analytical testing packages that are customized to reflect groups of analyses pertinent to wines, ciders, beers, spirits, coolers and other miscellaneous products. The group of tests offered in these packages is optimized to cover properties and chemical compounds relevant to sale of a beverage alcohol product in Canada. The scope of analyses may change from time to time; other tests may be added or removed as changes in regulatory and industry requirements occur.

These testing packages are competitively priced and designed to assist manufacturers, retailers, importers and exporters of beverage alcohol products, and regulatory organizations.

Typical uses of these testing packages, are:

  • - Proof of chemical testing for Ontario manufacturer’s licence application
  • - Annual analysis of products sold in licensed manufacturer’s stores
  • - Proof of chemical testing for wine pub or beer pub licensing
  • - Manufacturer quality investigations
  • - A requirement for product listing in other provinces and territories
  • - To confirm compliance for export purposes

 

Methods used in these packages are ISO 17025 accredited and the certificate of analysis can be used internationally. The LCBO Laboratory will select appropriate methods; if a specific method is required, or additional analyses are of interest, they can be added at an additional cost.

For more information about these analytical testing packages, requesting laboratory testing services and how we can best support your needs, contact us at AskQA.

 

Summary of standard analytical testing packages

Wine, Cider

Beer, Sake

Spirits

Cooler Type Products

 

 

Accessible version of the Testing Packages information

Wine, Cider

Standard package

  • Alcohol
  • Sugars
  • Free and Total Sulphites
  • Volatile acidity
  • Metals: Lead, Arsenic, Copper (wine)
  • Ethyl Carbamate
  • Pesticide Residues

 

Optional Tests (at additional cost)

  • Ochratoxin A
  • Methanol

 

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Beer, Sake

Standard package

  • Alcohol
  • Metals: Lead, Arsenic, Cobalt (beer)
  • Sugars (beer)
  • Ethyl Carbamate
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Sorbic acid (draught beers)
  • Synthetic dyes (where applicable)

 

Optional Tests (at additional cost)

  • Caffeine (products containing caffeine ingredients)

 

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Spirits

Standard package

  • Alcohol/Ethanol
  • Methanol
  • Metals: Lead, Arsenic
  • Ethyl Carbamate
  • Sugars (Liqueurs, Vodka, Fruit Spirit, Dry Gin)
  • Synthetic dyes (where applicable)

 

Optional Tests (at additional cost)

  • Caffeine (products containing caffeine ingredients)
  • Thujone (products containing wormwood ingredients-absinthe)

 

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Cooler Type Products

Standard package

  • Alcohol
  • Ethyl Carbamate (Dairy based coolers)
  • Metals: Lead, Arsenic
  • Sorbic acid
  • Total Sulphites
  • Sugars
  • Synthetic dyes (where applicable)

 

Optional Tests (at additional cost)

  • Caffeine (products containing caffeine ingredients)

 

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Footnote

Pesticide Residues (standard panel): iprodione, carbaryl, myclobutanil, procymidone, azinphos-methyl (guthion), chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlofluanid,dichloran, dimethoate, fenarimol, imidan, methiocarb, parathion-ethyl, phosalone, triademefon, vinclozolin. Scope of pesticides may change from time to time.

Synthetic Dyes (standard panel; permitted in Canada): Allura Red, Amaranth, Brilliant Blue, Erythrosine, Fast Green, Indigotine, Sunset Yellow, Tartrazine. Scope of the synthetic dyes may change from time to time. Other synthetic dyes may be included at request – please inquire