Since water activity testing is critical to ensure the quality and safety of manufactured products, it is common to find water activity instruments in most quality assurance laboratories. As with any laboratory test method, good laboratory practices require routine verification assessments for water activity to make sure the instrumentation is working properly. This can be…
The shelf life of a product is defined as the practical time that it remains desirable to consumers. It dictates the radius of distribution for the product, how it must be stored, and its best by date. Failure to match this expected shelf life can result in customer complaints, product recalls, and tarnished reputation. Consequently,…
There can be an abundance of confusion with water activity instruments concerning test time. Some instruments claim a 5-minute test time while others offer fast or quick modes. The truth is that water activity test time is determined by the sample and not the instrument. Since water activity is an equilibrium measurement, a reading is…
A THOUSAND YEARS OF MAINTAINING SPICE QUALITY THROUGH WATER ACTIVITY CONTROL INTRODUCTION Spices have played a defining role in human history, shaping global cuisine, trade, and cultural exchange for thousands of years. From ancient caravans crossing the Silk Road to the vast maritime routes forged during the Age of Exploration, spices such as pepper, cinnamon,…
The international coffee market is valued at $102 billion. It includes everything from freeze dried instant coffee to specialty blends carefully sourced from specific growing locations. Not surprisingly, the highest quality coffee comes at the highest price along with the highest quality expectations. Coffee beans are harvested as a coffee cherry that is then processed…
Seafood in its various forms is considered a delicacy by many around the world as well as serving as a food staple for many coastal regions. Unfortunately, fresh seafood is not shelf-stable due to its high water activity and long term storage requires either freezing or controlling the water activity through drying, smoking or salting….
With the legalization of cannabis-based products for medicinal and, in some regions, recreational use, the need to implement safety initiatives has emerged. Microbial contamination in either dried buds, extracted oils, or processed edibles can result in allergic reactions, respiratory complications, or foodborne illnesses. In addition, breakdown due to chemical reactions can result in changes in…
The wine industry is a vast and dynamic global market, encompassing everything from small, family- owned vineyards to large multinational corporations. As of recent years, the industry has been valued at over $300 billion, with key production regions including France, Italy, Spain, the United States, and Australia. Wine production involves a complex supply chain, from…
Like food products, tobacco products are vulnerable to quality and safety issues and therefore require welldesigned product safety programs. Water activity plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and quality of intermediate- and low-moisture foods, and it offers the same protective benefits for tobacco products. Given the wide variety of tobacco products available, each…
Pet food production is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide valued at $91 billion dollars in 2018 (1). Gone are the days of feeding your pet scraps from the table; pet food today is carefully formulated to provide healthy diets, avoid allergies, and provide variety. With the increasing value of pet food comes increased…
