100 Years Of Trust100 Years Of TrustSINCE 1916

UNDER THE MICROSCOPELEADING IN INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE FOR OVER 100 YEARS

NP Analytical Laboratories (NPAL) was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1916, on the second floor of a building on the corner of Eighth and Gratiot. It was here that Mr. S. Merill started the chemical analysis laboratory – one of the first quality control laboratories in the feed industry.

This brief look at our early years illuminates the spirit of innovation and excellence, which continues to keep NPAL at the forefront of product and ingredient testing and consulting.

1916

1862 – PRESIDENT LINCOLN LAUNCHES THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY, THE PREDECESSOR OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

FOUNDED

AUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS Mr. S. Merrill started the chemical analysis laboratory in 1916 as part of the Ralston Purina company. It was one of the first quality control laboratories in the feed industry. The scientific methods and new knowledge of animal nutrition helped establish the new animal feed industry.

1906 – THE ORIGINAL FOOD AND DRUGS ACT IS PASSED, AND – IN THE AFTERMATH OF "THE JUNGLE" BY UPTON SINCLAIR, WHICH DETAILED THE HORRENDOUS SANITARY AND WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE MEATPACKING INDUSTRY – THE MEAT INSPECTION ACT IS PASSED.

EARLY LABORATORY EQUIPMENT Laboratory instruments were not commercially available in the early years and the Lab built many instruments by hand to improve test accuracy. Bernie Beaver uses this early commercial Bausch and Lomb spectrophotometer.

PROTEIN MEASUREMENT Bill Brew, who was later named Vice

President of Central Research, tends flasks on an early Kjeldahl apparatus used in the measurement of protein.

Today's instruments are similar to the original apparatus. Brew was also involved in making films to promote

Purina Dog Chow.

1938 – A REVISED AND EXPANDED FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC (FD&C) ACT IS PASSED. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE SAFE TOLERANCES TO BE SET FOR UNAVOIDABLE POISONOUS SUBSTANCES, STANDARDS OF IDENTITY, AND QUALITY.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Gene Schneider pushed the application of new technology for testing food and feed. He later became a key

team member, applying computer technology

for the Laboratory Information Management

System (LIMS) and data acquisition.

1949 – FDA PUBLISHES GUIDANCE TO INDUSTRY FOR THE FIRST TIME, CALLED "PROCEDURES FOR THE APPRAISAL OF THE TOXICITY OF CHEMICALS IN FOOD," (AKA THE "BLACK BOOK").

FIRST WOMAN CHEMIST In 1942, the laboratory hired its first female staff member, Mary Heckman, a chemist who became the manager of the laboratory. She pioneered the use of

microscopes to analyze feed formulas. She spent many years researching methods for determining dietary fiber and protein digestibility.

CHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY While a chemist by training, Bill Brew recognized the potential of microbiology to determine vitamin concentration by measuring the growth of bacteria in the presence of sample extracts.

We became the first feed lab to use this technology for vitamin analysis. The same approach is used today to measure several vitamins.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Bill Brew and Mary Heckman developed microscopy techniques for the analysis of feed formulations. Bob Bax (standing) was a highly respected microscopist and trained Purina technicians from around the world, also pictured are J.T. Hardin and Betty Kidwell.

1982 – FDA PUBLISHED FIRST "RED BOOK" (SUCCESSOR TO 1949 "BLACK BOOK"), OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS "TOXICOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF DIRECT FOOD ADDITIVES AND COLOR ADDITIVES USED IN FOOD".

2011 – THE FDA FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA), THE MOST SWEEPING REFORM OF FOOD SAFETY LAWS IN MORE THAN 70 YEARS, AIMS TO ENSURE U.S. FOOD SUPPLY IS SAFE BY SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM RESPONDING TO CONTAMINATION TO PREVENTING IT.

A COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY PROGRAM As part of Nestle SA since 2001, NPAL maintains a comprehensive quality program that includes qualified personnel, validated test methods, proficiency sample programs, automated sample tracking, long-term record retention, and an independent Quality Unit which reviews test protocols, evaluates check sample results, and conducts independent audits.

824 Gratiot St. | St. Louis, MO 63102800-423-6832 or 314-982-1310www.npal.com ©2016 NPAL

WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE OUR 100 YEAR TRADITIONNPAL proudly provides state-of-the-art testing and consulting to support research, product development, and product quality. Together with you, we continue to advance knowledge of food science and animal nutrition and provide tools for developing and maintaining quality products in the marketplace.

To learn more visit our website at www.npal.com.