Shelf Life Testing: A Critical Step in Food Safety
Posted on 3 April, 2024 by Ed Jones
What is shelf life testing?
Food shelf life testing is a process used to determine how long a food product will remain safe to eat and retain its desired quality. The shelf life of a food product is affected by a number of factors, including the type of food, the packaging, the storage conditions, and the intended use.
How to determine shelf life?
The shelf life of a product can be determined using a variety of methods, including:
Accelerated shelf life testing (ASLT)
This method uses controlled conditions, such as higher temperatures or humidity, to speed up the aging process. ASLT can be used to get results more quickly, but it is important to note that the results may not be directly applicable to real-world storage conditions.
Real-time shelf life testing (RTSLT)
This method uses actual storage conditions to test the shelf life of a product. RTSLT can be more time-consuming than ASLT, but it is the most accurate way to determine the shelf life of a product.
Microbiological testing
This method tests for the presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria and mold, that can spoil food. Microbiological testing can be used to determine the shelf life of a product, but it is important to note that not all microorganisms can be detected using this method.
Sensory evaluation
This method uses human panelists to evaluate the appearance, taste, smell, texture, and overall quality of a food product. Sensory evaluation can be used to determine the shelf life of a product, but it is important to note that the results may vary depending on the panelists.
Comparison of Real-time shelf life testing and Accelerated shelf life testing
|
Characteristic |
Real-time shelf life testing (RTSLT) |
Accelerated shelf life testing (ASLT) |
|
Conditions |
Actual storage conditions |
Controlled conditions, such as higher temperatures or humidity |
|
Speed |
Slow |
Fast |
|
Accuracy |
More accurate |
Less accurate |
|
Applicability |
More applicable to real-world storage conditions |
Less applicable to real-world storage conditions |
|
Cost |
More expensive |
Less expensive |
What are the factors that affect the shelf life of food?
The shelf life of a food product is affected by a number of factors, including:
- The type of food: Some foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are naturally more perishable than others, such as canned goods.
- The packaging: The packaging can help to protect food from moisture, oxygen, and light, which can all contribute to spoilage.
- The storage conditions: The storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can also affect the shelf life of food.
- The intended use: The intended use of the food can also affect the shelf life. For example, food that is intended to be cooked will have a longer shelf life than food that is intended to be eaten raw.
How much does shelf life testing cost?
The cost of food shelf life testing can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
The type of product: The cost of testing a perishable product, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, will be higher than the cost of testing a non-perishable product, such as canned goods.
The complexity of the test: The more complex the test, the higher the cost will be. For example, a test that includes microbiological analysis will be more expensive than a test that only includes sensory evaluation.
The number of samples: The more samples that are tested, the higher the cost will be.
The length of the test: The longer the test, the higher the cost will be.
The laboratory: The cost of testing will vary depending on the laboratory that is used. Some laboratories are more expensive than others.
In general, the cost of food shelf life testing can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Here are some tips for reducing the cost of food shelf life testing:
- Choose a product that is relatively stable.
- Use a simple test method.
- Test a small number of samples.
- Conduct the test over a shorter period of time.
- Choose a less expensive laboratory.