How can you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies in improving product quality?

Shelf life extension technologies are methods that aim to preserve the quality and safety of food products for longer periods of time. They can include physical, chemical, or biological treatments that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, slow down the chemical reactions, or reduce the moisture loss that can affect the quality of food. However, how can you measure the effectiveness of these technologies in improving product quality? In this article, you will learn about some of the common indicators and methods that can help you evaluate the impact of shelf life extension technologies on your food products.

1 Sensory evaluation

Sensory evaluation is the process of assessing the appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture of food products using human senses. It is one of the most important indicators of food quality, as it reflects the consumer's perception and preference. Sensory evaluation can be done by trained panels or by consumers themselves, using various scales, methods, and tests. Sensory evaluation can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by comparing the sensory attributes of treated and untreated products over time and under different storage conditions.

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Michael Ibrahim H.

Senior Lead Auditor & Technical Reviewer in SGS | Certification Expert | Driving Food Safety, QHSE | BRCGS, FSSC 22000, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 22716, SQMS, GFCP, Non-GMO, V-label | Auditing & Training
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Here’s What Else to Consider: Consumer Feedback: Collect feedback from consumers during and after the extended shelf life period to gather insights into their experiences and preferences. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the extended shelf life complies with regulatory standards and requirements for food safety and labeling. Environmental Impact: Consider the environmental impact of shelf life extension technologies, aiming for sustainability without compromising product quality. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing specific shelf life extension technologies. Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing: to simulate and predict product stability under different storage conditions.

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Hippolyte NKOBA

Environment, Health and Safety Manager
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Shelf life extension technologies are used to improve the quality of food products and reduce food waste. The effectiveness of these technologies can be measured by conducting sensory evaluations, microbial analyses, and chemical analyses. Sensory evaluations involve assessing the appearance, texture, flavor, and aroma of the food product. Microbial analyses are used to determine the number and type of microorganisms present in the food product. Chemical analyses are used to determine the changes in the chemical composition of the food product.

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Nagmadeen Mohammad

I Food Safety & Quality Assurance | | ISO 9001/2015 Lead Auditor I I ISO 22000/2018 | FSSC:22000 | 14001: 2015:EMS ]
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In my experience sensory evaluation is a science that measure, analyze, and intdrprets the reaction of peoples to a products as percieves by sense. Its a means of determining whether product difference as percieves, the basics of difference, and whether one product is like more than a nother. Companies invest sustantial sums of money in developing and marketing products without fully a ppreciating consumer's ability to identify what makes one product a success and a nother just getting by, sensory evaluation should be an integral part of any product efforts, whether at formulation stage or marketing stage if one expects to be more successful in satisfying consumer expectations. For example, Market research.

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2 Microbial analysis

Microbial analysis is the process of detecting and quantifying the microorganisms that are present in food products, such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and molds. It is one of the most critical indicators of food safety, as it can reveal the potential risk of spoilage and contamination. Microbial analysis can be done by using various techniques, such as culture, microscopy, molecular, or rapid methods. Microbial analysis can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by monitoring the changes in the microbial load and diversity of treated and untreated products over time and under different storage conditions.

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Nagmadeen Mohammad

I Food Safety & Quality Assurance | | ISO 9001/2015 Lead Auditor I I ISO 22000/2018 | FSSC:22000 | 14001: 2015:EMS ]
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In my experience microbial analysis methods is the use of biological, biochrmical, or chemical methods to detect, identify and enumerate microrgsnisms across field such as virology, bacteriology psrasitology and micology. For example, food, drink Environmental, or clinical samples, its often applied to diseases causing and spoilage microrgsnisms. This process involves defining the problem, collecting and cleaning data, analyzing patterns, visualizing Insights, and presenting findings, facilitating informed desicion - making and problems resolution. The method adapted for analysis is vary from product to product based in level of contamination, water, ingredients should be evaluated,to ensure the safety and quality of final food products.

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Jose Glenn Ragudos Jr

Quality Assurance Quality Control
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Microbiological properties at different condition can determine the shelf life of the product. We are now in past face era which is we are using rapid test method to determine the microbial count of the product. Based on my experience, microbial properties of the product helps researched and development team to extend and established new shelf life of the product.

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3 Chemical analysis

Chemical analysis is the process of measuring the chemical components and properties of food products, such as moisture, pH, acidity, fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and color. It is one of the most comprehensive indicators of food quality, as it can reflect the nutritional value, functional properties, and stability of food products. Chemical analysis can be done by using various instruments, methods, and standards. Chemical analysis can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by evaluating the changes in the chemical composition and characteristics of treated and untreated products over time and under different storage conditions.

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4 Physical analysis

Physical analysis is the process of measuring the physical aspects and phenomena of food products, such as weight, volume, density, texture, rheology, viscosity, elasticity, and water activity. It is one of the most relevant indicators of food quality, as it can affect the appearance, handling, processing, and shelf life of food products. Physical analysis can be done by using various devices, methods, and parameters. Physical analysis can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by examining the changes in the physical properties and behavior of treated and untreated products over time and under different storage conditions.

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5 Shelf life testing

Shelf life testing is the process of determining the period of time that a food product can maintain its acceptable quality and safety under specified storage conditions. It is one of the most practical indicators of food quality, as it can help you optimize your production, distribution, and marketing strategies. Shelf life testing can be done by using various approaches, such as accelerated, real-time, or predictive methods. Shelf life testing can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by comparing the shelf life of treated and untreated products under the same or different storage conditions.

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6 Quality assurance

Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that the food products meet the established standards and specifications for quality and safety. It is one of the most essential indicators of food quality, as it can help you comply with the regulatory requirements, satisfy the customer expectations, and prevent the quality losses and complaints. Quality assurance can be done by using various tools, methods, and systems, such as quality control, quality management, quality audit, and quality certification. Quality assurance can help you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies by verifying the performance and consistency of the treated and untreated products throughout the supply chain.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies in improving product quality?

1

2

3

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5

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1 Sensory evaluation

2 Microbial analysis

3 Chemical analysis

4 Physical analysis

5 Shelf life testing

6 Quality assurance

7 Here’s what else to consider

Food Manufacturing

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How can you measure the effectiveness of shelf life extension technologies in improving product quality?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Sensory evaluation

2 Microbial analysis

3 Chemical analysis

4 Physical analysis

5 Shelf life testing

6 Quality assurance

7 Here’s what else to consider

Food Manufacturing

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