One of the first questions that a producer often asks when launching a new product or modifying an existing product is, “What type of package should I use?” Shelf life testing is a great affordable way to look at the performance of your product in an array of different packages. Using accelerated shelf life you can often find exactly what you are looking for in just weeks. Often time we can monitor organoleptic properties as well as changes in chemical properties over time. Call Erin Smith at 402-829-9845 to help with the design of your next packaging project.
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New Chamber
Midwest Labs has added a new shelf life chamber that is 30C and 65% humidity. Call Erin Smith at 402-829-9845 for details! We have also added the ability to test for allergens!!!
Shelf Life Testing
Shelf Life Study Test Protocol January 2012 Midwest Laboratories is the leader in private shelf life testing in the industry. We offer a variety of shelf life methods for a reasonable cost. Please feel free to contact Erin Smith at 402-829-9845 for any shelf life testing questions.
Determining What Type of Shelf Life to Run
Determining Factors:
- At what temperature will the test be performed?
- If samples will be sold refrigerated, then tests will be run using a refrigerator.
- If samples will be sold frozen, then tests will be run using a freezer .
- If samples will be stored at room temperature then there are two options (Real Time and Accelerated)
- How long would you like to run the study?
Refrigerator Shelf Life/ Freezer Shelf Life
Refrigerator shelf life studies have the ability to assess changes in food quality and microbiological growth This study will determine how long a sample will remain safe to consume while at refrigerated or freezer conditions. The frequency of the test is dependent on product.
Ambient, Room Temperature, Shelf Life
Room temperature studies have the ability to assess changes in appearance, odor, microbiological growth as well as rancidity.
Accelerated, 40 deg C/75% humidty, Shelf Life
Accelerated studies will assess changes in moisture content, water activity, and sensory characteristics. They can NOT be used to test for microbial growth
Food Testing-Microbiological

MICROBIOLOGY
Food
Brain-Spinal Cord Tissue (CNS) $42.50
Clostridium perfringens $20.00
Enterobacteriaceae $15.00
Fecal Coliform $20.00
Generic E.coli
Hydrophobic Film $15.00
MPN $25.00
Generic E. coli and Total Coliforms $20.00
Hemorrhagic E. coli (0157:H7)
SDI/Lateral Flow (8 hour) $20.00
PCR $40.00
Confirmation via BAX PCR method $40.00
Listeria
PCR $40.00
SDI Lateral Flow $20.00
Mold $20.00
Mold Count and Identification $50.00
Pseudomonas $20.00
Rhizobium Enumeration $20.00
Rope Spores $20.00
Salmonella
PCR $40.00
25 gram FDA/BAM $25.00
100 gram FDA/BAM $25.00
375 gram FDA/BAM $40.00
750 grams FDA/BAM $50.00
Salmonella Confirmation $25.00
Salmonella Speciation $125.00
Shigella (negative) $20.00
Sporeformers
Thermophilic (aerobic and anaerobic) $15.00
Mesophilic (aerobic and anaerobic) $20.00
Staphylococcus aureus (negative) $15.00
Staphylococcus Enterotoxin Visual Assay $40.00
Streptococcus $20.00
Total Coliforms (MPN method) $25.00
Total Coliforms (Hydrophobic Film) $15.00
Plate Count
Aerobic $15.00
Anaerobic $15.00
Psychotrophic $15.00 ->
Yeast $20.00
Yeast and Mold $20.00
FS1: Food Screen $60.00
Total Plate Count, Total Coliforms, E. coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Yeast, Mold
FS2: Food Screen plus Listeria $75.00
FS3: Food Screen plus Listeria & E.coli 157:H7 $100.00
Sponge/Swab
Clostridium perfringens $20.00
Generic E. coli $15.00
Generic E. coli (MPN) $25.00
E.coli O157:H7 $20.00
E.coli O157:H7 (PCR) $40.00
Enterobacteriaceae $15.00
Listeria (PCR) $40.00
Listeria $20.00
Pseudomonas $20.00
Salmonella $25.00
Salmonella (BAX/PCR) $40.00
Total Plate Count $15.00
HACCP Testing:
USDA approved Petrifilm method for generic E. coli analysis.
Pricing includes sponge, cooler, ice pack & analysis
Ship via mail $15.00
Ship via UPS ARS label $21.95
Aerobic Plate Count $15.00
Contact Sue Ann Seitz (402) 829-9892 for more information.
Ask us about our Internet Result Retrieval System where you can access your results via the Internet!
Our Microbiology staff works seven days a week to provide the fastest possible turnaround time available!
PCR: Midwest Laboratories utilizes the BAXTM (DuPont Qualicon System) for increased speed and accuracy of confirmation for some pathogens such as E.Coli 0157:H7, Listeria and Salmonella.
Midwest Labs is certified by APHIS for microbial analysis of export products.
Food Testing- Chemical
Food Fee Schedule
Nutritional Labeling (NLEA or Canadian)
Complete nutritional label (Raw data plus Nutrition Facts Panel) $625.00
Calcium, Calories, Calories from Fat,Cholesterol,Daily Value Calculations,Dietary Fiber, Iron, Potassium, Protein, Saturated Fat, Sodium, Sugars, Trans Fat, Total Carbohydrates, Total Fat, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Canadian Label Conversion (from U.S. label) $30.00
Nutritional labeling using a database program $65.00
FP1: $50.00
Moisture, Protein, Fat
FP2: $70.00
Moisture, Protein, Fat, Salt
FP3: Basic Proximates $60.00
Moisture, Protein, Fat, Ash, Carbohydrates, Calories
FP4: Basic Minerals $45.00
Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Potassium
FP5: Fatty Acids/Cholesterol $230.00
Fatty Acid Profile
FP6: The Big 3- Nutrition Label for Meats $350.00
Proximates, Minerals,Cholesterol, Fatty Acid Profile, Nutrition Label
Sue Ann Seitz

Sue Ann Seitz
Marketing Coordinator
Phone #: 402-829-9892
e-mail: sueann@midwestlabs.com
Erin Smith

Erin Smith
Nutrition Specialist
Phone #: 402-829-9845
e-mail: erin@midwestlabs.com