Shelf-Life Studies

The shelf life of a product is the amount of time it can be stored under normal conditions before it begins to undergo chemical or physical changes that affect its quality. Shelf life is focused on maintaining the quality of your product and should not be confused with food safety testing. Accurate shelf-life information helps ensure that your product meets consumer expectations from the moment of purchase until it is consumed.

Key Considerations for Shelf-Life Studies

1. Shelf Life is About Quality: Unlike food safety testing, shelf-life testing is concerned with the quality of your product over time, such as taste, texture, and appearance. Ensuring your product stays at peak quality for as long as possible is vital to customer satisfaction.
2. Packaging and Storage Conditions: Packaging and chosen storage conditions play a crucial role in determining accurate shelf life. At GPAL, we simulate real-world conditions to assess how your product holds up over time.
3. Getting Started: When your product is ready for testing, you will need to complete the GPAL questionnaire. This step provides our Special Testing Department with essential details about your product, helping us tailor the study to your specific needs.

Our Shelf-Life Testing Process

Once your product is ready for testing, we follow a step-by-step approach to ensure a comprehensive and accurate shelf-life study:

1. Product Information Gathering: After receiving your completed questionnaire, our Special Studies Department will schedule a meeting to discuss the best testing parameters for your product. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and meet the team working with your product.
2. Customized Shelf-Life Study Proposal: Based on the initial consultation, we will create a proposal tailored to your needs. This proposal outlines:
   • Study purpose
   • Number of samples required for testing
   • Microbiology and chemistry tests
   • Sensory evaluation or bake lab involvement (if applicable)
   • Testing intervals
   • Cost breakdown
3. Proposal Review: The proposal is a working document that can be reviewed and edited. If needed, a follow-up meeting can be scheduled to discuss changes. Once finalized, the signed proposal is returned to GPAL.
4. Product Scheduling: After receiving the signed proposal, we will schedule a date for your product to arrive at our facility. It’s essential to stick to the schedule, as lab availability can impact the study timeline.
5. Study Execution: We hold your samples under specified conditions and closely monitor them for any changes in quality, including sensory, chemical, or microbial characteristics. If significant changes occur (e.g., color changes or bacterial growth), we will contact you to determine how to proceed.
6. Ongoing Monitoring: During the shelf-life study, we monitor your product for changes like darkening, microbial growth, or off-odors. For example, if broccoli darkens over time, we’ll consult with you to decide if this is acceptable or if adjustments are needed.
7. Study Conclusion and Final Report: At the end of the study, we provide a detailed final report that includes all test results, interpretations, and the recommended shelf life for your product. The final report includes:
   • Study data
   • Analysis of changes in quality
   • Recommendations for the appropriate shelf life
8. Payment and Results: The final report is sent once the final payment has been received. If desired, a meeting can be scheduled to review the results in detail.

Payment Structure

• 50% payment is due upon receipt of your product.
• Final 50% payment is required before you receive the final report.
• If interim results or consultations are requested during the study, an additional fee may apply.

Why Choose GPAL for Shelf-Life Studies?

At GPAL, we offer a thorough and reliable shelf-life study process designed to provide valuable insights into your product’s performance over time. By simulating real-world conditions and closely monitoring changes in your product’s quality, we help ensure that you can confidently provide accurate shelf-life information to your customers.

Contact Us

Ready to determine the shelf life of your food product? Contact GPAL today to learn more about our shelf-life studies and how we can help you maintain product quality and exceed consumer expectations.