GFIC Shelf Life Testing And Challenge Studies
Need scientific data on how your product performs during storage?
At GFIC, we design custom shelf-life studies that evaluate your product’s safety, quality, and sensory performance over time. Whether you are unsure how to determine your Best Before Date (BBD), follow regulatory compliance before wider retail distribution, or assess how your customers experience your product over time, our shelf-life testing gives you the science-backed data you need to succeed.
What We Test
Our shelf-life studies are tailored to your product from initial testing through final reporting. A typical shelf-life project includes:
- Customized shelf-life protocols based on your product type, category, and storage conditions.
- Microbiological testing (e.g., ACC, yeast and mold, pathogens, etc.) at defined intervals.
- Sensory and organoleptic assessment of flavour, texture, aroma, and appearance.
- Analytical testing (e.g., pH, water activity, texture, moisture, nutrient content, colour, etc.).
- Informative reports after each time point that include all test results, data interpretation, and references.
If you need more robust testing, we can adjust the tests analyzed and/or the testing frequency to get a deeper insight into how your product changes over time. We offer a wide range of physical, chemical, and microbial testing options tailored to your requirements and budget.
Specialized Services
Accelerated Shelf-Life Testing
Get predictive insights faster using controlled higher temperature storage.
Ideal when real-time data has been established or done in conjunction with real-time tests.
Challenge Studies
Simulate contamination scenarios by introducing relevant pathogens (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, E. coli) under controlled conditions.
Studies validate food safety, supports risk assessments, and helps you meet CFIA, FDA, and global regulatory requirements.
Important to Know:
- To ensure accuracy, shelf-life testing must use products made at your facility in their representative packaging just before we begin testing. This reflects exactly how your customers will experience the product and ensure the study is as accurate as possible.
- The duration of shelf-life testing depends on the anticipated shelf-life of the product. We recommend that companies conduct the test for slightly longer than the expected shelf-life in order to understand what your customers will experience your product beyond the Best Before Date (BBD).
- Tests are always conducted at the beginning (Day 0) and at the end of the study. While GFIC can perform any frequency of testing, longer gaps between time points mean you may be missing valuable information about your product.
Why Choose GFIC for Shelf-Life Testing?
Tailored Study Designs
Customized research built around your product and business goals to deliver meaningful, actionable results.
Science-Driven Insights
Reliable testing and analysis that ensure food safety, quality assurance, and confidence in your decisions.
Trusted Data for Compliance
Clear, dependable results to support regulatory approval and strengthen retail acceptance.
Your Path to Reliable Shelf-Life Data
Your product deserves the confidence that comes with science-backed shelf-life data. Partner with GFIC to ensure safety, quality, and trust at every stage of your product’s journey. Connect with us today to start your custom shelf-life study.
