Shelf-life testing

Shelf-life testing

To discuss your needs

Food shelf life is the length of time that a product remains both safe to eat and of acceptable quality. In the EU, ‘use by’ indicates the date after which a product may not be safe to eat (and must not be sold), “best before” indicates the date after which the product’s quality may become unacceptable.

It is the manufacturer's responsibility to assign a shelf-life for each product that is produced. Even if predictive mathematical models have been used to give a firm idea of the shelf-life of a product, a laboratory based determination of microbiological activity within a food over time will still often be necessary.

Product is stored under the required storage conditions and tested at suitable time points for relevant organisms. In addition Campden BRI offers a complete shelf life evaluation service which can also incorporate sensory and chemical analysis. Product can also be produced and/or packaged on site in our process hall.

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Key services

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COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

Environmental testing and prevention to help the food industry control SARS-CoV-2.

Microbiological analysis and testing

Microbiological analysis and testing

Covering pathogens, spoilage organisms, and indicator organisms

Microbiological specifications

Microbiological specifications

Pre-set criteria that are used to verify HACCP and good practices.

Contamination incidents

Contamination incidents

Situation analysis and establish why it occurred.

Microbiological shelf life

Microbiological shelf-life

Product safety, retaining sensory, microbiological and chemical characteristics.

Challenge testing

Challenge testing

A practical study to determine the behaviour of relevant organisms.

Predictive microbiology

Predictive microbiology

Computer simulation of the growth of microorganisms.

Shelf-life testing

Shelf-life testing

A complete service which can incorporate sensory and chemical analysis.

Microorganism identification

Microorganism identification

A key part of the management of food safety and quality

Rapid microbiological methods

Rapid microbiological methods

Advice on most suitable methods for use.

Microbiological methods evaluation

Microbiological methods evaluation

Evaluating microbiological methods, validation and interpretation.

Microbiological risk assessment

Microbiological risk assessment

Helping to guide clients through the complex evaluation process.

Laboratory design

Laboratory design

Expertise in issues relating to microbiology laboratories.

Processing to remove microorganisms

Processing to remove microorganisms

Advice on different heating regimes.

Heat resistance

Heat resistance

Determine whether the process you are using will be sufficient to achieve your aims.

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Foodborne viruses are a safety challenge for a range of foods.

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

Our newly upgraded Proficiency Scheme.

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Independent laboratory audit required by M&S/Tesco.

Microbiology training courses

Explore our microbiology related courses including; Understanding microbiology for non microbiologists and Setting shelf life: how to do it better

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Watch our membership FAQ videos and find out more about Member Service Account spending, Member Interest Groups, help and advice

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Where we refer to UKAS Accreditation

The Campden BRI group companies listed below are both accredited in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO17025:2017 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The accreditation demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope of methods, specific to each site, as detailed in the schedules of accreditation bearing the testing laboratory number. The schedules may be revised from time to time and reissued by UKAS. The most recent issue of the schedules are available from the UKAS website www.ukas.com

Campden BRI (Chipping Campden) Limited is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 1079 Campden BRI (Nutfield) is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 1207

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