The Laboratory Division provides scientific and analytical services for the programs of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and other agencies.  In addition, the division provides testing and consulting services on a fee basis to Michigan's industry and private citizens.

The Laboratory Division, composed of the Geagley Laboratory in East Lansing and the E.C. Heffron Metrology Laboratory in Williamston, is one of MDA's oldest divisions.   The labs provide testing and analytical services to ensure the health, safety and economic well-being of the residents and environment of Michigan.

The Geagley Laboratory provides analysis of food, dairy, and beverage products as well as labelling information and livestock testing. This Laboratory runs a variety of tests for other state and federal agencies and as such is partially funded by federal dollars.

The E.C. Heffron Metrology Laboratory provides mass, volume, length calibration, and testing services for state agencies, local governmental agencies and industry.  MDA certifies weights and measures for private calibration firms who, in turn, provide service to these industries.  The metrology lab also conducts regulatory services, calibrating standards used for enforcement by the Michigan State Police, Treasury and Agriculture departments and all county road commissions.  The lab, and three full-time metrologists, are certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Applicable Regulations may be found here.

Programs

Environmental Protection - Laboratory scientists analyze groundwater for contamination, test samples of seeds for weeds, and investigate incidences of suspected pesticide misuse.

Food Safety - Geagley Laboratory analyzes food, dairy and beverage products for pasteruization, drug residues, pathogens, pesticide residues, toxic substances, and foreign materials.

Livestock Testing - Lab tests ensure that livestock are disease-free and meet state and federal requirements for shipping across county, state and national borders.

Motor Fuels Quality - The Laboratory Division also houses the Motor Fuels Quality Program and the Weights and Measures Program.  The administrative personnel for these programs are located at the E.C. Heffron Laboratory.  The Motor Fuels Quality Program establishes and regulates the sale and quality of motor fuels through licensing, investigation, inspection and sampling to ensure the fuels that consumers buy contain the proper materials and abide by legal standards.  The Motor Fuels Quality Program Hotline number is 1-800-MDA-FUEL.   The Weights and Measures Program, through the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations, prevents economic fraud and deception by testing all weighing and measuring devices.  This ensures that when a product is weighed or measured, it is done accurately.

Product Labels - Product label accuracy is tested to verify nutritional content for consumer and animal foods.

Weights and Measures - This program prevents economic deception by checking the accuracy of over 200,000 commercial weighing and measuring devices, the proper net content of packaged commodities, and proper methods of sale at over 50,000 retail establishments and production facilities in Michigan.  The state-of-the-art E.C. Heffron Metrology Laboratory provides support to the program and Michigan industry by providing mass, volume and length calibrations that are in accordance with national standards.

Steve Reh 
Director

(517) 337-5040

Applicable Regulations may be found here.