The importance of shelf life for food safety and waste reduction

Do you know what shelf life is? The term shelf life means the period in which a food can be stored before losing its properties or becoming unfit for consumption. The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) addresses this as a fundamental aspect in determining the expiration date of food.

Extending the shelf life of food can be an effective strategy to transform a scenario that suffers from food security and waste reduction, improving food distribution efficiency and safety.

Brazil still faces major challenges in this context. According to a 2023 IBGE survey, 21.6 million households (27.6%) face some degree of food insecurity. Furthermore, the country loses or wastes 42% of its food supply annually, according to a report by the Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC).

Increasing shelf life can be an effective strategy to transform this situation, improving efficiency in food distribution. This has a positive impact from both an environmental and economic point of view.

Technology is fundamental in this context. Advanced packaging methods, such as the use of materials with barrier properties that protect food from external factors, are essential to extend the shelf life of products, especially fresh ones.

Valgroup invests in innovative solutions to face these challenges. The Shrinkable Bags produced by the company with a barrier for meat, poultry and cheese guarantee safety and preserve the freshness of the product, prolonging its shelf life and directly contributing to reducing waste. These solutions are essential to ensure that food reaches consumers fresh and safe, especially in greater risk areas.

Find out more about the Shrinkable Bags unit and the complete portfolio on the website: valgroupco.com/produtos