We can consider as expiry date the limit date that the product must be consumed; a kind of useful life or “shelf life”. More objectively, it is the lifetime of the product in which the manufacturer attests its quality and safety to our health, taking into account microbiological processes.
The way to define a safe expiry date is based on previous studies and tests, in accordance with the norms and under the responsibility of the manufacturing company. These tests observe characteristics about the development of microorganisms, a state that normally ends up altering the sensorial characteristics. And of course, the danger of the health effects of contamination.
Generally, there is a margin of safety in the deadlines established by the brands, which set a shorter deadline than the contamination presented by the tests. Thus, the expiry date that we check on the packages is shorter than the time of the beginning of the proliferation of microorganisms.
It is also worth remembering that the “shelf life” is not a 100% accurate result in the tests. Therefore, the more data to understand this deterioration process, the better. Information such as food properties, storage conditions and quality of the packaging used make up the products shelf life under the conditions offered to the market.
The influence of packaging on product quality
We commented above on the importance of knowing the useful life of the product to avoid problems for the consumer. And there is an external factor that directly influences the integrity of the product: the packaging that surrounds it.
The choice of packaging, compatible with the product and of the necessary quality to isolate the content from the external environment, often proves to be a challenge for the entrepreneur, taking into account the dependence not only on quality, but on productivity and the equipment that will be used. .
At this point, we are faced with some questions: how to ensure the integrity of products for as long as possible, using the benefits of good packaging? How to prevent the deterioration of these products? Plus, how do you maintain quality without sacrificing productivity?
Many companies have stood out in the choice of machines and respective packaging that increase the shelf life of the product. In addition to the financial gains, which are extremely advantageous, they make a decisive contribution to sustainability, as products tend to be effectively consumed in their entirety, and not discarded in the environment because they are spoiled.
Imagine a butcher shop whose picanha has a 7-day shelf life. In the case of vacuum packaging that allows the same picanha to have a shelf life of 6 months, the butcher shop will be highly profitable with the possibility of marketing the product for a longer period, since it will not need to be discarded after 7 days if it is not sold. Also, when we consider that the manufacturing process to produce a piece of picanha, from raising the cattle to slaughter and transport to the butcher shop, takes an average of 2 to 4 years, consuming water, energy and various resources, we note that if the environmental catastrophe caused by the disposal of this product within 7 days.
Packaging is, therefore, responsible for protecting the product and increasing its shelf life. Quite a responsibility!
The packages resulting from the Profills Filling Machines, for example, divide the products and allow an extended “shelf life”, contributing to the efforts to offer a food or drink of excellent nutritional quality to the consumer.
Besides, of course, highlighting the products on the supermarket shelves!
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