Is it possible to extend the shelf life of a product solely based on customer requests?

Hello,

Is it possible to extend the shelf life of a product solely based on customer requests, or is it necessary to conduct a formal shelf life study to determine whether the shelf life of a food product can be safely increased?

You should definitely do a study to make sure you would be selling palatable product.  You could check with your ingredient suppliers first.

When I receive a shelf life extension request from a customer I have them send me samples of the product, which I then send out to the lab.  when favorable results are received then I conduct internal organoleptic testing.  As @sentanta has stated if the ingredients used in the finished product are not of the appropriate shelf life in the formulation then you would need to contact the ingredient suppliers and get a shelf life extension request going with them.  

To formally extend your shelf life you would need to collect data and yes a formal study to prove that the product is viable at the given shelf life you are now designating.  

Don't allow your customers to dictate your process

You must perform a study to determine your shelf life as it stands with your current ingredients/process/packaging

A study should be undertaken unless you have already established a leeway and have documented this fact. 

Hi Cheese89,

Shelf life extension would be entirely dependent on the product.

For long life ambient products shelf life may be to ensure a premium quality so granting a customer a concession is less of an issue as long as they understood the risk regarding the quality of the product.

It would be helpful if you confirmed what product we are talking about  ;)

Kind regards,

Tony

Feta cheese in Brine. Our shelf life  is 3 months and customer is requesting to increase it to 4 months.

Feta cheese in Brine. Our shelf life  is 3 months and customer is requesting to increase it to 4 months.

Ok, and how do you propose you're going to do that?   You cannot simply change your coding as you'd be in contravention of SFCR

1. • Food safety laws in many jurisdictions require scientific evidence to support shelf life claims.
   • Extending shelf life without proper validation could result in non-compliance, product recalls, or legal consequences.
2. • If the product contains ingredients or components sourced from suppliers, their specifications and guarantees (e.g., microbial limits, stability data) often dictate the maximum allowable shelf life.
   • Extending the shelf life beyond what the supplier has authorized may breach supply agreements and compromise safety. A supplier knows their product more than anyone, including historic data.
   • A use by date is exactly what it says. any deviation from that date without the suppliers authorisation, in writing, would be illegal. 
3. • A decision based purely on customer requests, without scientific validation, could harm your brand's reputation if the product fails to meet expectations.
4. • With best before/before end dates it may be possible to carry out shelf life analysis, including organoleptic, again with the suppliers advice, to ascertain the end quality of the product.
   • Obtain updated product specifications and stability data.
   • Seek written authorization for the proposed shelf life extension if the supplier's data supports it.
5. • Perform testing under controlled conditions, including accelerated and real-time aging, to assess microbiological, chemical, and sensory stability.
   • Ensure the product meets safety and quality standards throughout the extended shelf life.

You cannot responsibly or legally extend the shelf life of a food product solely based on customer requests. Supplier authorization and a formal shelf life study are essential to ensure the product's safety, quality, and compliance with regulations.

Feta cheese in Brine. Our shelf life  is 3 months and customer is requesting to increase it to 4 months.

Hi Cheese89,

4 months shelf life is achievable assuming that you are currently getting no issues at 3 months.

As per previous posts you will need to validate the shelf life extension.

Kind regards,

Tony

Hello,

 

Is it possible to extend the shelf life of a product solely based on customer requests, or is it necessary to conduct a formal shelf life study to determine whether the shelf life of a food product can be safely increased?

What cant speak cant lie..

Physically results are the only way to ensure you have validated and then annually verified you SL....

Someone above mentioned that produce FETA cheese in CANADA ... Is it possible to produce FETA outside GREECE ?

Anyway ... you must conduct a shelf life assesment anyway ...