The best-selling first edition of this contributed book established itself as a highly practical and authoritative source of information on shelf-life evaluation. Every food manufacturer is concerned about shelf life, as are the major retailers and ingredient suppliers. Increasing consumer interest in food safety, quality and date marking, competitive pressures from retailers and extensive legislative changes have combined to give this subject new significance. A proper evaluation of shelf life must be grounded on sound scientific prinicles, supported by up-to-date techniques. This book begins with six chapters reviewing the principles of shelf-life evaluation, followed by ten chapters on a number of selected food products such as chilled yogurt and other dairy desserts, seafood, and meat. The latest edition has been expanded to include new chapters on HACCP, preservation technology and shelf life, and minimally processed, ready-to-eat ambient-stable meat products. Sufficient information on the principles and practice of shelf life evaluation has been included for the beginner as well as for those who are more experienced in this area.

The shelf-life of a product is critical in determining both its quality and profitability. This important collection reviews the key factors in determining shelf-life and how it can be measured. Part one examines the factors affecting shelf-life and spoilage, including individual chapters on the major types of food spoilage, the role of moisture and temperature, spoilage yeasts, the Maillard reaction and the factors underlying lipid oxidation. Part two addresses the best ways of measuring the shelf-life of foods, with chapters on modelling food spoilage, measuring and modelling glass transition, detecting spoilage yeasts, measuring lipid oxidation, the design and validation of shelf-life tests and the use of accelerated shelf-life tests. Understanding and measuring the shelf-life of food is an important reference for all those concerned with extending the shelf-life of food. Reviews the key factors in determining shelf-life and how they can be measured Examines the importance of the shelf-life of a product in determining its quality and profitability Brings together the leading international experts in the field

Food Quality and Shelf Life covers all aspects and challenges of food preservation, packaging and shelf-life. It provides information on the most important pillars in the field, starting with active and smart packaging materials, novel technologies, and control tools in all stages between production and consumer. The book gives emphasis to methodological approaches for sensory shelf-life estimation and the impact of packaging on sensorial properties. Researchers and professionals alike will find this reference useful, especially those who are interested in the performance evaluation of future packaging for fresh produce in the cold chain and temperature management in the supply chain. Presents insights regarding new trends in emerging technologies in the field Includes hot topics, such as modified atmosphere packaging and active materials to improve shelf-life Provides shelf-life assessment and modeling methodologies and accelerated shelf-life testing

This book addresses the shelf life of foods, a key factor in determining how food is distributed and consequently where and when different food products are available for consumption. Shelf life is determined by several factors, including microbiological, chemical, physical, and organoleptic deterioration. Often these factors are interrelated and interdependent. The editors of this volume focus specifically on the microbial factors related to shelf life of perishable foods and food commodities. This allows for more detailed coverage of foodborne bacterial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms of concern. The initial part of the book covers the why and how of shelf life determination as well as the specific microbial pathogens and spoilage microorganisms of concern for perishable foods. Contributors address topics such as the techniques utilized for determination of shelf life, the frequency of shelf life testing for different products, the interpretation of data to make shelf life determinations, and management of shelf life of food products from the perspective of the food producer, distributor, retailer, and regulator. Three key areas impacting shelf life are addressed in detail: sanitation, processing, and packaging. The sanitation chapter explains the necessary components of cleaning and sanitizing to assure a hygienic processing environment and why that is critical to shelf life control. Traditional processing procedures are reviewed and advanced processing technologies are explored. Materials used in food packaging and the utilization of traditional and activated food packaging by product type are covered in detail. The latter two chapters of the book delve into newer techniques of analysis and explore the microbiome of food products. Implications of microbial ecology and microbial quantification in food products are discussed in chapters on genomics and in the changing dogma of meat shelf life. The primary audience for this work includes food industry quality and food safety technicians, managers, directors, and executives responsible for shelf life. Academicians and governmental researchers involved in research and teaching about food safety and quality will also find the material relevant and useful.

Finding natural substances is worthwhile in food preservation. The principal motivation behind this edited volume, Antimicrobials for Sustainable Food Storage, is to collect and present widespread knowledge in the domain of sustainable food ingredients with antimicrobial properties. The book consists of two sections. The first section of this volume is about food ingredients as antimicrobials, and the second section discusses the recent advances in the applications of food ingredients. Interplay of various environmental factors favors the growth of different microorganisms during the food preservation process. Growth of undesirable microorganisms negatively influences the taste, smell, color, and texture of food. Therefore, sustainable food preservation is a challenging issue. Though several chemicals have emerged, inevitable health effects are commonly encountered by food preserve chemicals. Microbial products (nisin, enterocin, pentosin, sakacin, and pediocin) have immense importance in prolonging the shelf life of food substances by controlling food spoilage and pathogenic microbes. Yeasts and cyanobacteria are also potential candidates in the supply of food ingredients with significant antimicrobial properties. However, limited awareness of antimicrobials as food ingredients and the unavailability of a single source of the latest insights on such food ingredients in one place led to the motivation to produce this work. Key Features: Provides insights on natural antimicrobials in food preservation Underlines the importance of sustainable food packaging Offers knowledge on emerging trends in antimicrobial-based food storage Diverse applications are covered in different chapters. This book covers various antimicrobials as food preservatives, such as metabolites, natural products, essential oils, nanomaterials, L-arginine, polyphenols, phaeophyceae, and horchata. There are also chapters that focus on the applicability and prospective studies of essential oils, edible biofilms, biodegradable antimicrobials, and nanostructured lipid carriers in the food sector and the method for encapsulation of antimicrobials.

This volume focuses on food preservation prior to distribution and sale, which is a major challenge in the tropical climates of most developing nations. In order to assure that food products are safe for human consumption, due importance must be given to the quality and safety aspects of production, processing, and distribution. This volume provides an informative overview of recent research on the therapeutic potential of various new and natural compounds along with novel technologies for enhanced shelf-life longevity and food safety. It also looks at the antimicrobial constituents of different sources and the history of their use as biopreservatives. It includes scientific evaluations of their use as alternative or potential biopreservatives. Focusing on real-life applications in consumer and food products, the book is divided into three parts, covering health and quality aspects of food preservation, applications of novel biomolecules for quality and safety of foods, and novel research techniques in food biopreservation.