How do you determine food shelf life?

1 Define the product and its specifications

The first step is to define the product and its specifications, such as the ingredients, the formulation, the processing, the packaging, and the labeling. You also need to identify the target market, the distribution channels, and the expected storage conditions for the product. These factors will help you set the criteria and standards for evaluating the product's shelf life, such as the sensory, microbiological, chemical, and nutritional parameters.

2 Conduct a shelf life study

The next step is to conduct a shelf life study, which is a systematic and scientific evaluation of the product's performance over time under different storage conditions. There are different types of shelf life studies, such as accelerated, real-time, and predictive. Accelerated studies expose the product to higher temperatures or other stress factors to simulate the effects of longer storage periods. Real-time studies monitor the product under normal or expected storage conditions for a certain duration. Predictive studies use mathematical models or software tools to estimate the shelf life based on the product's characteristics and environmental factors.

3 Analyze the data and interpret the results

The third step is to analyze the data and interpret the results of the shelf life study. You need to use appropriate statistical methods and tools to process and visualize the data, such as graphs, tables, or charts. You also need to compare the data with the criteria and standards that you set in the first step, and identify the critical factors that affect the product's shelf life, such as microbial growth, oxidation, moisture loss, or color change. You can then determine the shelf life of the product based on the point at which it fails to meet the specifications or expectations.

4 Validate and verify the shelf life

The fourth step is to validate and verify the shelf life of the product. Validation is the process of confirming that the shelf life study was conducted correctly and reliably, and that the results are accurate and representative. Verification is the process of checking that the product meets the shelf life specifications and requirements in the actual market conditions. You can use different methods and techniques to validate and verify the shelf life, such as sampling, testing, auditing, or feedback.

5 Communicate and document the shelf life

The final step is to communicate and document the shelf life of the product. You need to communicate the shelf life information to the relevant stakeholders, such as the consumers, the retailers, the regulators, and the manufacturers. You can use different ways to communicate the shelf life, such as labeling, coding, or education. You also need to document the shelf life information and the procedures and methods that you used to determine it, such as reports, records, or manuals. This will help you ensure traceability, accountability, and compliance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?