Factors influencing the
shelf life of a product
How long a shelf life should my product have? There is no simple answer to this question.
All foods spoil with time, but there is considerable variation in spoilage rates. Some of the factors
involved in loss of quality are explained below.
MICROBIAL GROWTH… the growth of some bacteria, yeasts and moulds in food may lead
to either food spoilage or food poisoning.
The time taken for microorganisms to affect foods will depend on their levels in the food when
it is produced, as well as any further contamination the food may suffer during packing, storage
and other handling. The temperature and time of storage, as well as the type of food, are also
important factors. Moist foods will usually spoil faster than dry foods.
Definition of the end of shelf life is usually based on numbers of microorganisms present or on
recommended guidance (FSANZ criteria are detailed later in this booklet). In other cases, the end
of shelf life may be determined by sensory or biochemical deterioration.
NON-MICROBIAL SPOILAGE… there are many other ways in which quality and nutrients can be lost.
They may not necessarily result in the product being harmful but can mean that it is no longer
of an acceptable standard.
Moisture gain/loss can result in loss of nutrients,
browning and rancidity. Dry foods can become
vulnerable to microbial spoilage if they take
on moisture.
Chemical change can result in off flavours,
colour changes, browning and loss of nutrients.
Light induced change can cause rancidity, vitamin
loss and fading of natural colours.
Temperature changes increase or decrease the speed
of other forms of spoilage.
Physical damage to food can result in spoilage, for example bruising of fruit and vegetables.
Damage to food packaging can make the food vulnerable to both microbial and non-microbial
spoilage. For example, pin holes in cans or tears in plastic bags allow microorganisms to enter
the food and moisture to be lost from the food.
Other
Spoilage by rodents and insects
Flavours and odours from storing food near other strongly smelling products
Product tampering.
Factors influencing theshelf life of a productHow long a shelf life should my product have? There is no simple answer to this question.All foods spoil with time, but there is considerable variation in spoilage rates. Some of the factorsinvolved in loss of quality are explained below.MICROBIAL GROWTH… the growth of some bacteria, yeasts and moulds in food may leadto either food spoilage or food poisoning.The time taken for microorganisms to affect foods will depend on their levels in the food whenit is produced, as well as any further contamination the food may suffer during packing, storageand other handling. The temperature and time of storage, as well as the type of food, are alsoimportant factors. Moist foods will usually spoil faster than dry foods.Definition of the end of shelf life is usually based on numbers of microorganisms present or onrecommended guidance (FSANZ criteria are detailed later in this booklet). In other cases, the endof shelf life may be determined by sensory or biochemical deterioration.NON-MICROBIAL SPOILAGE… there are many other ways in which quality and nutrients can be lost.They may not necessarily result in the product being harmful but can mean that it is no longerof an acceptable standard.Moisture gain/loss can result in loss of nutrients,browning and rancidity. Dry foods can becomevulnerable to microbial spoilage if they takeon moisture.Chemical change can result in off flavours,colour changes, browning and loss of nutrients.Light induced change can cause rancidity, vitaminloss and fading of natural colours.Temperature changes increase or decrease the speedof other forms of spoilage.Physical damage to food can result in spoilage, for example bruising of fruit and vegetables.Damage to food packaging can make the food vulnerable to both microbial and non-microbialspoilage. For example, pin holes in cans or tears in plastic bags allow microorganisms to enterthe food and moisture to be lost from the food.OtherSpoilage by rodents and insectsFlavours and odours from storing food near other strongly smelling productsProduct tampering.
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