Food storage tests

Storage tests of food products are one of the basic elements of ensuring and controlling production quality. The manufacturer should ensure food safety throughout the entire period of its presence on the market, i.e. from the moment of production to the moment of purchase by the consumer, without exposing the consumer to dangers resulting from the deterioration of the microbiological and physicochemical quality of the product during its shelf life. Pursuant to Regulation (EC) 178/2002, dangerous food cannot be placed on the market.

Product durability

The durability of a food product may depend on many factors, such as type, origin, production methods, and method of preservation. Physical, chemical or microbiological changes occurring in the product may result in deterioration of its quality, thus posing a risk to the Consumer.

Factors affecting product durability

  • growth of microorganisms: bacteria, mold and yeast,
  • water increase or loss,
  • chemical reactions that may cause the formation of foreign odors, color changes (e.g. browning), loss of desired nutrients,
  • light,
  • storage temperature

Storage tests

The determination or confirmation of the shelf life of a food product is based on the so-called storage tests. These tests involve analyzing the product at appropriate intervals and comparing the results to baseline values, i.e. to the results obtained before the start of the research. Mainly the product’s microbiological purity, physico-chemical properties and organoleptic characteristics are analyzed. The scope of research requires individual development for each product. The main factors that may affect the durability of a given product include: water activity, influence of light, temperature, water loss, development of microflora.

The Ekolabos Laboratory offers storage tests of products with a short shelf life and accelerated tests (Accelerated Shelf-life Test) of products with a long shelf life.

Wroclaw tel: +48 71 738 20 25,

Poznan tel: +48 61 640 37 38

Katowice tel: +48 32 750 67 39

Warsaw tel: +48 22 379 25 20

Krakow tel: +48 71 738 20 25,

For details of the storage testing offer, please contact the Customer Service Office at 22 379 25 20 or biuro@ekolabos.pl