Shelf-Life Testing helps to determine the expected stability of your product. In other words how long will your product last on the shelf.

A shelf-life test will measure the rate of deterioration over time. This can be done by a real-time study (measuring at the actual time and holding temperature for the product) or an accelerated time study (exposing the product to an increase temperature and measuring at shorter time periods). To start a shelf-life testing program we need to look at different factors.

• Assess the product to determine an expected shelf life. Comparable products on the market, historical information all can help.
• Determine the tests to quantify the stability. What are the testing requirement.
• Establish limits for the tests used and set criteria to verify the shelf life.
• Test packaging will effect the shelf life. Is the product in the final packaging going to market.
• Plan the study using the estimated shelf life as the final test point.
• Accelerated time studies will get you results faster, but they are estimations and due to the extreme temperature and humidity the final stability results maybe less than a real time study.

Shelf stability testing is run on animal feeds, human food, pet food and dietary supplements. The products can range from a Vitamin supplement to ice cream.

Product Environment/Temperature – Relative Humidity

• Frozen / -15 C
• Refrigerated / 5C
• Ambient / 25C
• Intermediate/ 30C
• Accelerated/ 40C – 75% RH