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Shelf life testing helps food manufacturers determine how products change over time and establish scientifically supported shelf life expectations.
Whether launching a new product, validating packaging changes, investigating spoilage issues, or supporting best-before date decisions, shelf life testing provides the data needed to make informed business and food safety decisions.
PBR Laboratories supports shelf life studies for food manufacturers throughout Alberta, Western Canada, and Canada.
Shelf life testing evaluates microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensory changes that occur in a food product during storage.
The goal is to determine:
Shelf life testing helps manufacturers understand when products no longer meet quality, safety, or customer expectations.
Shelf life testing is commonly used by:
Determine realistic shelf life expectations.
Support product launches with data-driven shelf life assessments.
Evaluate packaging performance during storage.
Determine how ingredient changes impact stability.
Understand product performance throughout transportation and storage.
Identify factors contributing to product deterioration.
Microbiology testing evaluates microbial growth and spoilage throughout storage.
Common Tests: APC, Yeast & Mold, Coliforms, E. coli, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes.
Key Questions: Is microbial growth occurring? Is the product becoming unsafe? Does microbial growth limit shelf life?
Water activity measures the amount of available water capable of supporting microbial growth.
Key Questions: Can microorganisms grow? Is spoilage likely? Does water activity limit shelf life?
pH influences microbial growth, product stability, and product safety.
Key Questions: Is pH changing during storage? Could pH affect shelf life? Is product stability maintained?
Moisture content affects texture, stability, spoilage potential, and product consistency.
Key Questions: Is moisture changing during storage? Is packaging effective? Is product quality being maintained?
Sensory evaluation assesses characteristics important to consumers, such as appearance, colour, odour, texture, and taste.
Key Questions: Does the product remain acceptable to consumers? Are sensory changes occurring over time?
Some products may require additional testing depending on formulation, processing methods, and intended use. Additional testing may include:
Testing plans should be based on product-specific risks and intended market use.
Products may fail shelf life studies due to several factors:
Increased microbial populations may affect food safety or quality.
Moisture gain or loss may impact texture and stability.
Packaging may not adequately protect the product during storage.
Ingredient changes may alter stability characteristics.
Temperature, humidity, and handling conditions may affect shelf life.
We commonly perform shelf life studies on:
Shelf life testing evaluates how food products change over time and helps establish appropriate best before dates.
Shelf life is evaluated using microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensory measurements collected throughout storage.
Common tests include APC, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli, water activity, pH, moisture, and sensory evaluation.
Shelf life focuses on product performance during storage, while stability testing may evaluate specific quality attributes over time.
Water activity influences microbial growth, spoilage potential, and product stability.
Common causes include microbial growth, packaging issues, moisture changes, formulation challenges, and storage conditions.
Yes. Shelf life testing is commonly performed during product development and commercialization.
Study duration depends on the intended shelf life, product type, and project objectives.
PBR Laboratories helps food manufacturers evaluate product stability, validate best before dates, investigate spoilage concerns, and support product development decisions.
Contact PBR to discuss food products, ingredients, beverages, dairy products, ready-to-eat foods, and raw pet food shelf life testing requirements.
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