It is critical for food and beverage producers to regularly evaluate the shelf-life of their products to confirm the product remains safe to consume, maintains its sensory, chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics and meets any label claims. Regularly reviewing and updating the shelf-life of a product is not just a matter of compliance, but a strategic business practice. Here’s why it’s important.
1. Confirm consumer safety and confidence
Continuing consumer safety and confidence is the main reason to review a product’s shelf-life. Over time, the quality of food and beverage products can degrade due to chemical reactions, microbial growth or physical changes. These can potentially make the food unsafe for consumption.
By regularly reviewing and updating shelf-life data, companies can verify the products they put on the market are safe to consume throughout their intended shelf-life. This proactive approach helps prevent any risk of spoilage or contamination that could harm consumers. Additionally, maintaining updated shelf-life information helps in preserving consumer trust and confidence.
2. Adapting to changes in ingredients, packaging and processing
Food and beverage products often undergo changes in their formulation, packaging or processing methods. For instance, a new ingredient may be introduced, a raw ingredient may be altered, or a company may switch to a more sustainable packaging material. Each o these changes can impact the shelf-life of the product.
Regularly reviewing the shelf-life allows manufacturers to assess how these changes affect product stability. For example, a new or changed ingredient may react differently over time, or new packaging might offer different levels of protection against factors such as light or oxygen. By continually reassessing shelf-life, companies can confirm their products continue to meet quality and safety standards.
3. Compliance with regulatory requirements
Food safety regulations and standards are constantly evolving. Regulatory bodies such as Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the FDA in the United States or the FFSA in Europe, set guidelines for the shelf-life of food and beverage products to ensure consumer safety. These regulations can change, introducing new requirements for testing, labelling or storage conditions.
Regularly reviewing shelf-life helps companies stay compliant with these regulations. Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including product recalls, fines or even legal action. By keeping up-to-date with the latest regulations and adjusting shelf-life assessments accordingly, manufacturers can avoid these risks and make certain their products are legally compliant.
4. Reducing food waste and optimising inventory management
Accurate shelf-life data is key for reducing food waste, which is not only an ethical and environmental issue, but a financial one. Products with an inaccurate or overly conservative shelf-life may lead to premature disposal, contributing to food waste and increasing costs for the producer.
By regularly reviewing and refining shelf-life, companies can better align product expiration dated with actual product stability. This alignment allows for more effective inventory management, reducing the amount of product that goes to waste due to expired dates. Moreover, optimising shelf-life can enhance supply chain efficiency by allowing longer distribution and retail periods, which is particularly important for products that are exported or have longer supply chains.
5. Maintaining product quality and brand reputation
Shelf-life is directly linked to the sensory attributes of a product, such as taste, texture, aroma and appearance. Over time, these attributes can deteriorate, leading to a product that no longer meets consumer expectations or the quality standards of the brand.
Regular shelf-life reviews help confirm products consistently deliver the expected quality throughout their intended shelf-life. A product that regularly fails to meet quality expectations can quickly lead to negative consumer perceptions and potentially a loss of market share.
In addition, maintaining high-quality standards can provide a competitive edge in the market. Brands that can demonstrate their commitment to quality through regular shelf-life assessments can differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace.
6. Supporting innovation and product development
New product development often involved experimenting with novel ingredients, flavours or preservation techniques. Each new product or variation of an existing product requires a thorough shelf-life evaluation to confirm it meets safety and quality standards.
Regular shelf-life reviews provide valuable data that can support innovation. Understanding how different factors affect product stability can inform decisions during the product development process, leading to better product and more efficient processes. Additionally, ongoing assessment can help identify potential improvements or adjustments to existing products, ensuring they remain competitive and appealing to consumers.
How we can help
Confirming a product is safe for consumers requires significant expertise and experience so all necessary factors are considered. Our Projects Team are able to design a shelf-life testing or validation plan that meets your needs, whether it’s for new or existing products. Our tailored, expert support covers all aspects of shelf-life evaluation, maximisation and extension and utilises expertise in microbiology, chemistry, sensory, regulatory and product innovation services.
Get in touch to discuss how we can support the shelf-life testing for your new and existing food and drink products.
