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FERA Nuts Selection Box

SHELF LIFE TESTING: ORGANOLEPTIC TESTING

SHELF LIFE TESTING STUDY


PRODUCT NAME

FERA Nuts Selection Box

PRODUCT FOOD SAFETY RISK LEVEL

Low (Ambient Stable)

PRIMARY IMAGE

STUDY DATE INCEPTION

10/01/2024

STUDY LEAD

Adeel Iqbal


Sensory Attributes Being Tested


TEXTURE

  • Smoothness

  • Consistency

  • Firmness

  • Softness

TASTE

  • Loss of taste

  • Bitterness

  • Oversweetness

  • Loss of taste characteristic profile

ODOUR

  • Minimal aroma ranging to rotting or alcoholic smell

  • Pathogenic smell

APPEARANCE

  • Skin loss

  • Discolouration

  • Residues on surface

  • Visible pathogens

  • Change from original specification

  • Loss of volume


KEY


5 =

Excellent quality retained

4 =

good but not as perfect as at harvest

3 =

acceptable but not meeting standards being aimed for

2 =

Poor quality, not able to process or sell

1 =

Unsafe and unacceptable



Time after opening original packaging

1 month

2 months

4 months

6 months

8 months

10 months

12 months

Appearance

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

Odour

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

Taste

5

5

5

5

5

4

3

Texture

5

5

5

5

5

4

3

Notes










 


Shelf Life Validation and Verification


UKAS Accredited Laboratory Analysis

We work with external experts to help determine the shelf life of our products by using the latest shelf life testing methods and technology. The UKAS accredited labs we use are accredited to the international standard for quality management (ISO 17025). This helps ensure we have a high quality method to determine accurate shelf life testing to facilitate compliance with statutory requirements.

Our shelf life analyses, helps us define accurate dates for our products, ensuring that the quality remains acceptable and safe for consumers.

During this process we analyse our products for:

  • Food-borne micro-organisms such as Listeria, Salmonella, E-Coli, Yeasts and Moulds, Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Cereus, Lactic Acid Bacteria

  • Total viable count

  • Enterobacteriaceae

  • Moisture content

  • Acidity levels

  • pH

  • Water activity

  • Fat rancidity

Verification of Activities


UKAS Report(s)



 

Final Shelf Life Value

Best Before End: 6 Months


 




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