Shelf Life Studies

Optimizing Consumer Safety and Satisfaction

Accurately determining the shelf life of a food product is an essential part of optimizing consumer safety and satisfaction. Shelf life information is also critical to the purchasing agent in both the retail and foodservice trade.

Determining the shelf life of a product involves studying over varying documented time increments the interactions between a food product, its packaging and the storage environment. Food packaging is designed to promote, apportion and protect the food inside. Shelf life testing is conducted to determine the length of time that a food product will maintain its safety and quality. Shelf life varies according to packaging type and method, and storage conditions.  Temperature, humidity and exposure to light must be controlled.

Components of shelf life testing include assessing the physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory attributes of the product.

FDC Product Development staff tailor a program of sensory and physical testing specific to the product and packaging requirements of the client.

Why Test the Shelf Life of a Product?

• To compare the effects of processing and/or formulation changes on product safety and quality

• To achieve cost savings by preventing product recalls and excessive waste

• To select optimum packaging and/or storage conditions for a product

• To identify relatively unstable raw materials which may limit final product shelf life

• To identify potential spoilage, safety or degradation problems during the preliminary stages of product development

• To establish optimum storage conditions for costly or perishable raw materials

Contact the FDC Product Development Group Leader to discuss your shelf life study requirements.