Shelf life study/benchmark

Fruit and vegetable companies can turn to Kiwa for the quality assessment of products during a fixed period under specific conditions. This shelf life check provides insight into how the quality of products develops over time. This can also be done in a benchmark in which comparable products of different origin, variety, suppliers and in different packaging are compared with each other.

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Visual assessment

During a shelf life or benchmark study, products are periodically subjected to a visual assessment by experienced Kiwa employees. Specific parameters such as internal product quality, ripeness, firmness, nature and degree of diseases and defects, (dis)coloration or °Brix can be assessed.

Timelapse video

The durability tests mentioned above can be supplemented with continuous camera recordings, where the images are processed into a time-lapse video. This produces visual material with which visually observable quality effects can be quickly made transparent.

With the benchmark shelf life check, Kiwa can provide insight into:

The differences in shelf life between products:
- Originating from new varieties (for seed breeders);
- From different growers (for growers' associations);
- From different suppliers (for trading companies);
- From different retailers (for retailers).
The influence of a new type of packaging on the shelf life of a specific product (packaging companies).
The shelf life of fruit and vegetables as part of, for example, fresh packs (for trading companies, retailers).

The final reports, including visual material, are stored in a database immediately after the shelf life check/benchmark and sent to the clients.

Related services

Grower visits

Growers, growers associations and trading companies that ship their products directly from growers can use Kiwa once or periodically to monitor the quality of fresh produce. As an independent third party, Kiwa can also rule on conflicts between growers and buyers.

Sampling Fresh produce

To assess whether fresh fruits and vegetables comply with food safety requirements, these products are regularly sampled and analyzed. The focus is on residues of plant protection products, as well as the possible presence of heavy metals, nitrates and microbiological contamination. As an independent inspection body, Kiwa carries out sampling of potatoes, fruits and vegetables (Dutch: aardappelen, groente en fruit (AGF)) within various monitoring and quality systems in the supply chain.

Secondment of AGF quality experts

Do you temporarily need additional quality control capacity in the field of potatoes, vegetables and fruit? Kiwa provides experienced quality experts on a secondment basis to companies active in the storage, sorting, packing and processing of potatoes, vegetables and fruit. Our specialists support your organization in safeguarding food safety, product quality and compliance with requirements within the supply chain.

Quality inspections fresh produce

Kiwa specializes in carrying out quality inspections of fresh fruit and vegetables, both processed (cut) and unprocessed. The quality inspections take place at various types of clients throughout the fresh produce chain and are carried out by our independent and experienced quality controllers.