Shelf-Life Testing

Set a best-before or use-by date you can defend, based on how your product actually changes in its pack over time.

How Shelf-Life Testing works

1Assessment of requirement
2Sample collection
3Right lab assigned
4Testing
5Test report

Trusted by Leading Brands Across the Globe

Overview of Shelf-Life Testing

Tested by: NABL-accredited partner lab
Regulation: FSSAI labelling rules
Typical turnaround: Study length + 5 days
Sample needed: Enough packs for every interval

FSSAI requires a best-before or use-by date on packaged food, and the manufacturer is responsible for justifying it. A shelf-life study stores the product in its final pack under defined conditions and tests it at intervals until it no longer meets its specification.

Real-time studies run at the intended storage temperature for the full proposed life. Accelerated studies use higher temperature and humidity to get an early estimate for new launches, which is then confirmed by the real-time study. Parameters depend on what fails first: microbes in fresh foods, rancidity in fried snacks and oils, moisture pick-up in biscuits, or colour and flavour in beverages.

What we do for you

Lab and parameter list chosen for your purpose: licence, export, buyer or internal QC
Sampling guidance, and pickup or on-site sampling where needed
One contact who follows up with the lab until the report is issued
Report explained in plain language, with next steps if a result fails

What to send

The lab confirms the exact quantity and packing for your product when we book the test.

Sample

Quantity: Enough packs for every interval
Sealed and labelled with the product name, batch number and date
Kept the way the product is normally stored: chilled, frozen or at room temperature

Details to share

Product name, FSSAI category and licence or registration number, if you have one
Ingredient list or recipe, and the label artwork
Purpose of testing: FSSAI licence, periodic testing, export, buyer or internal QC
For export: destination country and the buyer’s specification

How we handle Shelf-Life Testing

1
Assessment of requirement
We confirm the standard, the list of tests and how many samples your product needs.
2
Sample collection
We collect the samples from your factory or warehouse, or tell you exactly where to send them.
3
Right lab assigned
We choose an accredited lab (NABL, BIS-recognised or ILAC) that covers your standard and can start soonest.
4
Testing
The lab tests your samples against the standard. We follow up and tell you at once if a test fails.
5
Test report
You receive the signed test report, ready to use for BIS, WPC, CE or your buyer.

What the lab tests

Parameter	Why it is checked
Microbiology	Total count, yeast and mould, and pathogens where relevant
Rancidity	Peroxide value, free fatty acids, anisidine value
Moisture and water activity	Texture loss and mould risk
pH and acidity	Fermentation and spoilage in beverages and sauces
Sensory evaluation	Appearance, aroma, taste and texture
Nutrient stability	For vitamin, probiotic or fortification claims

The final list depends on your product, its standard and the purpose of testing. We confirm it with you before the sample goes to the lab.

Frequently asked questions

Can accelerated testing replace a real-time study?

It gives a useful estimate for launch, but the date should be confirmed by a real-time study, especially for products where microbes or moisture are the limiting factor. Many brands launch on an accelerated estimate and extend the date once real-time data is in.

Will FSSAI and buyers accept the report?

Tests are done in labs accredited by NABL for the parameters reported, and for regulatory use in FSSAI-notified labs, which is what FSSAI, food safety officers and most buyers expect. For export, we match the lab to the importing country’s or buyer’s requirement.

Who carries out the testing?

Instacertify’s partner laboratories, accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025 for the parameters on your report. We choose the lab, arrange the sample, follow up until the report is issued and explain the results to you.

What our clients say

“Instacertify helped us get BIS CRS certification for our entire product range within just 6 weeks. Their team handled everything from documentation to lab coordination. Highly professional service.”

Akash GuptaBIS CRS · Electronics brand

“They handled complete certification for us, from ISO 9001 to BIS for PVC cables and plugs. Thorough, professional and always available — they knew what needed to be done and when.”

Shivank VishnoiISO 9001 & BIS · Cables

“Getting TEC approvals for our access-control products seemed confusing and complex, but Instacertify made it simple.”

Jiten ShahTEC approval · Access control

Not sure which certification you need?

Send us the product name and the countries you sell in. A specialist replies with the standards that apply, the documents to prepare, the lab cost and the timeline. The assessment is free.

The list of approvals comes to you in writing
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