Shelf-life Testing

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Every sector in today’s economy is under rising pressure to quickly develop and launch innovative products to retain market dominance. Accelerated Shelf Life Testing plays a critical role in the product development cycle.

Shelf-life studies or shelf-life testing conducts thorough analytical, chemical, physical (sensory), and microbiological analyses to assess the quality of the consumer product. It helps retain confidence in the food product manufacturer and keeps the consumers safe.

A food shelf-life testing facility determines the “best before”, “mfg date”, and the “expiry date” that is mentioned on the product labels. It is critical for a product manufacturer – as it helps them meet the strict regulatory guidelines.
According to FSSAI requirements, the shelf-life claim from the manufacturer should be backed by reliable ASLT test data.

At SMSLA Global, we responsibly conduct Accelerated shelf-life & Direct Shelf-life testing/ studies to ensure that product quality is maintained throughout the product life cycle. Plus, our services drastically reduce the chance of customer complaints about the product quality.

Apart from the food and edible products, shelf-life testing is also extensively performed for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, medical, herbal, home care, and nutraceuticals products.

Shelf-life studies/ testing

It is considered that the shelf-life starts once the product is in the final stage of processing and packaging. Moreover, based on the type of product being tested, the methodology of testing will differ as well.

In shelf-life testing, multiple parameters such as product ingredients, packaging, processes, and storage conditions are taken into account while formulating the results. Additionally, any alteration in these crucial parameters leads to a complete change in final test results.

Stability studies

The focus of the stability studies is to determine the impact of external environmental conditions on product quality and the viability of product formulation. Stability studies are extensively performed in the life sciences, chemical, and food and beverage industries.

  • Direct Shelf-life studies :
    This is the one most commonly used method. It involves storing the product under preselected conditions for a period of time longer than the expected shelf-life and checking the product at regular intervals to see when it begins to spoil. The exact procedure is unique for each product
  • Accelerated / Indirect Shelf-life studies:-
    In Accelerated shelf-life testing or ASLT test, the rate of deterioration of product is accelerated under normal storage conditions/ environment without making any significant modification in the underlying mechanisms or without adjusting the order of changes seen in the product. With accelerated shelf-life testing, sample products are exposed to and stored in elevated stress conditions/environments.

The essential components of shelf-life testing:-

  • The rancidity (oxidation/ degradation of fats and oil) test assesses and quantifies the level of oxidation in a sample food product. The value of the food product gets compromised when lipids turn rancid - this is the reason why accelerated shelf-life testing is crucial for every food product.
  • On the other hand, Microbiological analysis identifies the presence of aerobic bacteria and other food-borne microorganisms such as yeast, listeria, etc - the leading cause of spoilage.
  • Other than that, the shelf-life tests also include acidity and pH levels check including examination of color, change in texture, aroma, taste as the product ages.
  • SMSLA Global offers accurate and reliable shelf-life testing result data that enable manufacturers to back their shelf-life claim that is in adherence with the FSSAI and other government authorities' regulatory guidelines.
  • Our services also reduce the risks associated with product recalls and inventory management issues. And upholds the manufacturer’s brand integrity and reputation. On top of that, our services reduce costs and save time by shortening the market execution period.

With the help of years of experience, long-serving testing services, sophisticated technical capabilities, and advanced instrumentation equipment, SMSLA Global has attained the reputation of one of the most reliable food shelf-life testing
companies in India.

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