10 replies to this topic

[urmimalabose]

We have been trying to test shelf life on a few of our products with gas flushing. What I am curious to understand is, we sent the samples to laboratory for 30 days testing, while all the reports have positive and clear results over the 30 days, we had one test from the 7th day that indicated Listeria innocua. What I am curious to understand is, does this impact our decision of extended shelf life? Because I can imagine there might have been hygiene issues at the machine company where the gas flushing was trialled, causing the Listeria innocua to grow on one odd sample. Considering all other reports were clear, this would indicate that the product has the shelf life for 30 days, right? 

[Dorothy87]

hi :) 

 

what kind of product? 

 

did you compare this to the environmental swabs?

[urmimalabose]

hi :) 

 

what kind of product? 

 

did you compare this to the environmental swabs?

Hi Dorothy,

These are frozen vegan meals.
I am not so sure if the machine manufacturing company, where did the technology trial has environmental swabbing reports. Should they be doing it?

[Scampi]

So I'm clear, are you suggesting that the listeria is coming from the gas flushing machine?

[Dorothy87]

Hi Dorothy,

These are frozen vegan meals.
I am not so sure if the machine manufacturing company, where did the technology trial has environmental swabbing reports. Should they be doing it?

 

your internal factory environmental swabs (tables, legs, machinery etc)  

also you should check heating treatment (I am not aware of your process - cooking/baking - if any ?) 

[urmimalabose]

So I'm clear, are you suggesting that the listeria is coming from the gas flushing machine?

I'd imagine so, it might come down to improper cleandown or not the best hygiene at the machine manufacturer site? I am suggesting this only because the strain is innocua. But my concern on the shelf life test is also because I understand that innocua isn't a harmful strain, and again out of the 30days, it showed up only on one report on the 7th day.

[urmimalabose]

your internal factory environmental swabs (tables, legs, machinery etc)  

also you should check heating treatment (I am not aware of your process - cooking/baking - if any ?) 

Hi Dorothy, our environmental swabs have all come back clean.

These samples were sent to a company that manufactures the machine for gas flushing, which is why I was wondering is the issue is at their end.
And more importantly, does showing up of L. innocua on one out 15 samples tested over 30 days impact the outcome that the product can be said to have 30 day shelf life or not. 

[Scampi]

How often do you replace the filter and hoses on the gas flush machine?  

 

I would NOT put 30 day shelf life on your product at this time UNTIL you remove the listeria strain. What it shows is that you have a systematic failure in your process.  You must find it and remove it prior to continuing.

 

I would recommend you have the machine serviced, all consumable parts replaced and repeat the tests. 

 

I would push for accelerated shelf testing

 

If it shows up after this, then it's elsewhere in your plant

[SQFconsultant]

• You sent VEGAN product to a NON-VEGAN company for trials?

[Shrimper]

urmimalabose,

 

I think there is some confusion here. Correct me if I am wrong. You produced the frozen vegan meals, the you sent them to another facility (not yours) that then gas flushed them, and then they were then send directly from gas flushing facility to lab. I think your assumption would be correct that it came from the gas flushing facility if your environmental swabs are all good. If you plan on continuing with the same gas flushing facility, I would have them do environmental swabs and make sure no listeria species are present. Just to be safe!

 

Thanks!

[Tony-C]

Hi urmimalabose,

 

I would repeat the trial but I’m not sure how you think you can validate a shelf life extension based on a trial at the machine company? You really should be doing trials on your own site.

 

In addition, I am finding it very strange that even by extending the shelf-life, your frozen vegan meal only has a 30-day shelf life?

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony