Objective: The objective of these studies are to determine the shelf life of the foods for human consumption.
There are two general types of testing; real time and accelerated.
Ambient Room Temperature
Room temperature studies have the ability to assess changes in appearance, odor, microbiological growth as well as rancidity.
Test Protocols:
Typically, 12 Month Shelf Life (Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity) with a combination of some of the following tests performed. (Total Samples: 13)
Testing Possibility
|
Test |
Frequency |
Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Food Screen* |
1-2 times a study |
$60/analysis |
Dependent on number of times performed |
|
Moisture (vacuum loss on drying 100 deg C) |
1/month – Total of 13 |
$15/analysis |
$156 |
|
Plate Count |
1/month – Total of 13 |
$15/analysis |
$182 |
|
Yeast/Mold |
1/month – Total of 13 |
$20/analysis |
$234 |
|
Sensory (color, aroma, texture) |
1/month – Total of 13 |
$10/analysis |
$130 |
|
Peroxide Value |
1/month – Total of 13 |
$25/analysis |
$325 |
* Food screen includes Total Plate Count, Total Coliforms, E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonellae, Yeast and Mold.
Room temperature studies can be customized to meet client’s need, to speak with someone on customization please call the Food Laboratory at Midwest Laboratories at 402-334-7770.
Accelerated
Accelerated studies will assess changes in moisture content, water activity, and sensory characteristics. They can NOT be used to test for microbial growth.
Test Protocols:
Typically, 12 Week Accelerated Shelf Life with a combination of some of the following tests performed (Temperature: 40 deg C/Relative Humidity: 75%) Total Samples: 13
Testing Possibility
|
Test |
Frequency |
Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Water Activity |
1/week – Total of 13 |
$20/analysis |
$260 |
|
Moisture (vacuum loss on drying 100 deg C) |
1/week – Total of 13 |
$15/analysis |
$156 |
|
Sensory (color, aroma, texture) |
1/week – Total of 13 |
$10/analysis |
$130 |
|
Peroxide |
1/week- Total of 13 |
$25/ analysis |
$325 |
Accelerated studies can be customized to meet client’s need, to speak with someone on customization please call the Food Laboratory at Midwest Laboratories at 402-334-7770.
Additional tests can be performed upon request for an additional charge.
