2 replies to this topic

[Technicallytim]

I work for a company who have recently started selling cream based sauces (i.e. cheese sauces, soups etc). We have adopted a model of thoroughly pasteurising in the pouch. We have proven these microbiologically with a lab for 3 month+ chilled shelf life (and some testing at ambient) and never come back with a bad result (also organoleptically tested fine). 

We have a huge freezer store but only a small chilled storage area. Before we started pasteurising (and until now) we have always stored and sold frozen.

My boss would like to label the product before freezing with a 12 month frozen shelf life with a statement along the lines of "once defrosted use within 3 months". I am trying to explain why this is not a suitable suggestion with the risk that someone defrosts it and that's such a period of time that they may forget when it was defrosted and keep it beyond that date. My boss is under the impression that this would be the customers fault for not ours but I don't think it gives clear advice, its the whole reason we apply a use by date and don't just label a tin "use within 1 year". Plus I have never seen this on anyone else's label. 

How can I persuade him that we will have to apply a use by date upon defrost, is there any legislation / guidance I can show him that will help?

[jfrey123]

American here, but I think your boss' idea is fine.  I routinely see items with long shelf lives that have separate instructions once opened or used.  As an example, I just grabbed a carton of chicken stock out of my refrigerator.  It is sold and stored ambient, and it states on the top, "Best if Used By 21 May 2026."  Then on the side, it states, "Keep at ambient storage for 12 months.  Keep refrigerated for 7 days once opened." 

 

Another carton of my wife's oatmilk is sold ambient, and states "Refrigerate after opening.  Use within 7-10 days."

 

Some frozen salmon steaks in my freezer state "Best if Used By Feb 4 2026", then has printed "Keep Frozen.  Then Thaw Under Refrigeration."

 

So I think there's some potential for a statement like "Keep Frozen Up to 12 months.  Use within 3 months if thawed.  Use within 7-10 days from opening." (or however long you recommend from when they open it).  I would just advocate the information all be in one place so no regulator can claim you are unclear with the instructions.

[GMO]

Does your pasteurisation reach temperatures high enough to kill Clostridium botulinum?  Or are there other hurdle factors (e.g. pH)?  That's what I'd have a look at.

 

The chilled food association in the UK has some great resources on this and if you're looking for chilled shelf lives over 10 days, I'd recommend doing their SUSSLE course.

 

SUSSLE & the 10 Day Rule for Shelf Life - Chilled Food Association

 

If you're above 90/10 or equivalent it might be an easy one.