Challenge Testing in the Development of a New Recipe

Food manufacturers must constantly improve their recipes in order to meet market demands. In doing so, they must continue to ensure food safety and quality. Challenge testing plays a vital role in ensuring that new recipes and formulations meet stringent regulatory requirements as well as consumer expectations.

We were tasked with performing challenge testing in order to help a food manufacturer redevelop a multi-layered coffee cream dessert. They wanted to understand and confirm the effects of:

• The introduction of a low level of alcohol (1.5%) which predictive growth modeling studies suggest have an inhibitory effect on Listeria monocytogenes growth 
• The layered structure of the final formulation, as it was intended to be distributed in stores

Implementing the challenge test

Experts at our Cramlington, UK, laboratory designed a microbial challenge test, in which specific organisms are introduced into the food product in a controlled manner, and their impact on safety and quality in real world conditions is assessed.

The manufacturer then submitted the final recipe, in its original packaging and conditioning, for testing. Our experts injected a low level of L. monocytogenes into the most vulnerable layer of the dessert to monitor the worst case scenario. The inoculation followed the recommendations of ISO 20976-1 for preserving the integrity of the packaging during challenge testing to avoid any adverse impact on parameters.

Outcome

We were able to confirm that the product was microbiologically stable and did not support the growth of Listeria in its present formulation. Extending the testing period beyond the initial prospective shelf life revealed that the recipe remained stable for an additional 10 days.

The study outcome was compiled in a comprehensive report, which included an explanation of the protocol, the testing schedule, the data and its graphical representation, and a clear interpretation of the results.

Our expertise

SGS is a trusted partner for businesses in the food industry seeking reliable testing services. We offer a range of challenge testing solutions, including microbial testing, shelf life determination and allergen testing, tailored to meet specific company and food industry requirements.

We have extensive experience with a broad range of products, packaging, organisms (Listeria spp., Clostridium spp, B. cereus, S. aureus, etc.) and inoculation methods. Our challenge test protocols are designed using established principles and guidance (EURL Lm, ISO 20976-1:2019).

We will help you to:

• Enhance food safety
• Extend shelf life
• Comply with regulatory standards
• Build consumer confidence

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Christophe Noel
Director of Innovation
t: +44 (0) 151 350 6666