Accelerated shelf life studies (ASLS)

Accelerated shelf life studies (ASLS) are used to determine the shelf life of a product by subjecting it to conditions that accelerate the aging process. These studies simulate the effects of normal storage conditions on a product, but in a shorter period of time, allowing manufacturers to make predictions about the product's stability, safety, and quality over its entire shelf life. ^(1-4)

Importance of accelerated shelf life studies ^(5-8)

There are different ways to ensure that ASLT testing conditions do not cause any new changes in the product that would not occur under normal storage conditions. These include:

• Controlling environmental factors: Temperature, humidity, light exposure, and other environmental factors should be carefully controlled during the testing period to ensure they are representative of normal storage conditions. For example, if the product is normally stored at room temperature, the ASLT testing conditions should simulate this, but at an accelerated rate.
• Using final packaging: The product should be stored in its final packaging during ASLT, as this can affect its shelf life and any changes that occur during testing. The packaging should be representative of the actual packaging used for the product, and should not affect the product's exposure to the testing conditions.
• Validating testing methods: The testing methods used during ASLT should be validated to ensure they are reliable and accurate. This involves comparing the results of ASLT testing with real-time shelf life studies to ensure the predicted shelf life is accurate.
• Monitoring the product: The product should be monitored regularly during ASLT to ensure that any changes in the product are consistent with normal storage conditions. This involves taking samples at specific time intervals and testing them for physical, chemical, and microbiological properties.
• Documenting the process: The ASLT process should be well-documented to ensure that the testing conditions are consistent and reproducible. This involves recording environmental conditions, packaging materials, testing methods, and results, as well as any adjustments made to the product formulation, packaging, or storage conditions.

During the study, samples are taken at specific time intervals and tested for changes in physical, chemical, and microbiological properties.

ASLS in Industry ^(9-12)

Accelerated shelf life studies have been used in various industries to evaluate the shelf life of different products. Here are some examples:

Accelerated shelf life testing is a useful tool for evaluating the shelf life of various food products. Here are some examples of ASLT in different foods:

Overview of the Market ⁽¹³⁾

The global market for accelerated shelf life testing is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by factors such as increasing demand for packaged foods, growing awareness of food safety and quality, and the need to reduce product development time and costs. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the global accelerated shelf life testing market was valued at $5.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

Regulations and standards ⁽¹⁴⁾

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established standards for the shelf life of different food products.

• Milk and milk products: The FSSAI has set a shelf life of 72 hours for raw milk and a maximum shelf life of 15 days for pasteurized milk. The maximum permissible limit for bacterial count in pasteurized milk is 5 x 104 CFU/mL.
• Cereal products: The FSSAI has set a shelf life of 3 months for cereal products such as flour, rice, and pulses. The maximum permissible limit for insect infestation in cereal products is 2%.
• Meat and meat products: The FSSAI has set a shelf life of 1-3 days for fresh meat and a maximum shelf life of 9 months for frozen meat. The maximum permissible limit for bacterial count in meat products is 106 CFU/g
• Fruits and vegetables: The FSSAI has set a shelf life of 7 days for fresh fruits and vegetables. The maximum permissible limit for pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is 0.01 mg/kg.
• Packaged foods: The FSSAI has established guidelines for the shelf life of packaged foods based on their category and processing method. For example, the shelf life of canned fruits and vegetables is 2 years, while the shelf life of ready-to-eat meals is 90 days.convert into table form
  
  

Testing methods

There are several methods used to determine the shelf life of foods. Here are some of the most commonly used methods:

Eurofins services

• Eurofins is a global leader in laboratory testing services, including accelerated shelf life testing for food products. Eurofins offers a range of accelerated shelf life testing services to help food manufacturers evaluate the shelf life of their products in a shorter amount of time, using a combination of sensory, chemical, and microbiological analysis.
• Eurofins uses a range of accelerated shelf life testing methods, including high-temperature storage, humidity testing, and light exposure, to simulate the effects of aging and degradation on food products. The company's state-of-the-art laboratories are equipped with the latest technology and equipment to provide accurate and reliable test results.
• Eurofins also offers consultancy services to help food manufacturers develop and optimize their product formulations, packaging, and storage conditions to extend the shelf life of their products. The company's team of experts can help manufacturers identify and address any potential issues that may affect the quality and safety of their products over time.
• Overall, Eurofins plays a vital role in helping food manufacturers ensure the safety, quality, and shelf life of their products, and in turn, helps to protect consumers and promote food safety worldwide.
  
  

References

1. Singh, K. K., & Goswami, T. K. (2013). Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing (ASLT) of Food Products. Food Engineering Reviews, 5(2), 67-86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-013-9052-2
2. Lee, J. H., Kim, J. H., Lee, H. G., & Lim, S. T. (2019). Accelerated shelf-life testing of fruit and vegetable juices by monitoring changes in antioxidant activity, polyphenol content, and color parameters. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56(4), 1852-1860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-03673-x
3. Tiwari, G., & Tiwari, R. (2017). Accelerated Shelf Life Testing of Packaged Food Products. Journal of Packaging Technology and Research, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41783-017-0004-1
4. Egan, H., & Kirk, R. S. (1974). Shelf-life testing: some statistical aspects. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 25(9), 1091-1096. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740250902
5. Silva, C. L. M., & Silva, M. A. A. P. (2017). Shelf-life assessment of food products by accelerated testing: principles, applications and controversies. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(11), 2313-2331. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.918598
6.  Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing of Food" by Yrjö H. Roos, published in the book "Food Science and Technology: Handbook of Food Preservation" (2007).
7.  "Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing: An Overview" by David A. Shapira and William H. Woodroof, published in the Journal of Food Science (1994).
8.  "Accelerated Shelf Life Testing of Pharmaceuticals" by Vikas K. Sharma, published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (2014).
9. Food industry: S. S. Sharma and R. K. Sharma, "Accelerated shelf-life testing of apple juice stored at different temperatures," International Journal of Food Science and Technology, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 383-392, 2005.
10. Pharmaceutical industry: H. K. Chan et al., "Accelerated stability testing of a new drug candidate: Case study of salmeterol xinafoate," Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 313-319, 2008.
11. Cosmetics industry: S. C. Ho and A. W. Johnson, "Accelerated stability testing of a facial cream," Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 87-98, 1996.
12. Packaging industry: J. K. Kim and K. J. Lee, "Accelerated shelf-life testing of polyethylene films for food packaging," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 89, no. 11, pp. 3125-3131, 2003.
13. (2020). Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing Market by Parameter, Method, Product, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025. Retrieved from
14. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). (2018). Shelf Life of Foods. Retrieved from https://www.fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:dfb6d930-6df1-4141-80a5-ec0a936d8b9c/Shelf_Life_of_Foods.pdf

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