The Importance of Testing of Shelf Life: Ensuring Product Quality & Safety
Shelf-life testing is inevitable for perishable items such as food, beverages, medication, Ayurvedic formulations and non-edible ones like cleaning products and others. Spoiled food or medicinal formulations can be detrimental to the health of users.
Testing of shelf life involves a scientific process to determine the period of time a particular item can say fresh and fit for consumption or usage. At the same time, the process checks whether it retains its nutritional or medicinal value for that period and in what type of storage conditions.
Testing of shelf life
The process of testing of shelf life of an item involves placing the sample under controlled environment, which simulates real-life condition. Here, the lab experts consider factors like temperature, exposure to light, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
The experts monitor the samples at regular intervals to keep a tab on the alterations that happen with time. They measure the time until the product stays fresh and safe for consumption. This indicates its shelf life.
Shelf life testing includes the following parameters:
- Chemical composition: How the ingredients break down over time and whether there is growth of bacteria or other contaminants.
- Physical properties: Changes in color, appearance, taste, smell, and texture.
- Efficacy: Loss of effectiveness in case of medications and cleaning products.
Importance of testing of shelf life study
Shelf life testing is indispensable, as it revolves around the health of end users. Testing of shelf life study is generally done for the following reasons:
- Product quality: Testing lets manufacturers maintain high quality standards of their product. Once they know the shelf life of their products, they can use this vital information on the label of the product to inform consumers. In addition, they can provide valuable information about storage and packaging of the product to their consumers.
- Consumer safety: Testing helps to detect any spoilage or risk of spoilage of the product. This can prevent the circulation of spoiled items in the market. Tested products assure consumer safety.
- Inventory management: Accurate testing for the shelf life of products helps retailers keep their inventory fresh. They can remove products that have gone beyond their ‘expiry dates.’
- Brand image: Keeping fresh stock of products naturally builds trust and credibility of the particular brand. This can increase brand loyalty.
Nationally recognized labs such as Glarc conduct a comprehensive testing of shelf life study for a range of perishable items, including edible and non-edible ones.
Contact our team at Glarc to partner with us and join the league of brands that are particular about delivering quality products to their consumers.