Shelf Life Studies
Eurofins ELS Rolleston is an experienced and leading provider of shelf life work for many types of foodstuffs. We were recently engaged by a global giant to conduct a multi month shelf life study on certain varieties of fruit and vegetables and food storage containers. Our capability also includes accelerated shelf life for certain food stuffs (primarily those normally stored at ambient), professional photography with lit sample photo booths, and gas analysis.
Our capacity to handle samples in volume for many storage temperatures ranging from refrigerated to over 50 degrees Celsius allows us to assist clients with work at short notice.
A sensory analyst recording the deterioration in the appearance of a spinach sample.
As the only accredited sensory laboratory in the country, we also offer clients the assurance that repacked products like milk-powders are still wholesome at packing and will still be suitable for an extended shelf life.
A common market situation at present is where a company buys product part way through its original shelf life and then places on the repacked material a two year best before date thus extending the shelf life. So a product that had a two year expiry originally, magically extends to 3 or 4 years by being placed in retail packaging. This assumption that everything will be okay with the product to the end of the extended date is a business risk that some companies are starting to realise can’t be ignored any longer. Our expectations are that regulators here and overseas will expect to see some data to back up an extension claim of expiry date.
Please contact the Christchurch Food Lab for further information: foodchch@eurofins.com
