A CFA proposal to Defra requesting funding for research aimed at extending the shelf life of chilled food has been given the go-ahead. The SUSSLE (Sustainable Shelf Life Extension) research programme is designed to provide data to better understand and explore the extension of the shelf life of chilled foods by using tailored reduced energy heat processes, enhancing quality without compromising safety.

In the UK the shelf life of the majority of chilled foods is limited to 10 days through a voluntary agreement of 1992. Last year CFA was successful in re-securing this '10 day rule' for the shelf life of chilled vacuum packaged/modified atmosphere packaged products (foods stored at 3-8ºC) against FSA's proposed change to 5 days. A reduction to 5 days would have made the production and distribution of the vast majority of chilled foods impractical. Such a change was agreed in 2006 by the ACMSF to be unnecessary as the 10 day rule is demonstrably effective in assuring the safety of chilled prepared foods. It is against this background that CFA made its research proposal to Defra. CFA is delighted that this major, unique project will go ahead.

The research will be carried out at the Institute of Food Research, Norwich and will be funded jointly by CFA and the Defra LINK Food Manufacturing programme primarily. According to the organization’s press release, it will run for 3 years. Participation in SUSSLE is free, being restricted to CFA Full Members.