How the cause of spoilage in a batch of food products is examined
A cause cannot be inferred from a single external sign. First the goods, packaging and chronology are documented; then storage and transport documents are compared, together with laboratory results where necessary.
A practical approach
The examination focuses on a specific object and question. It is important to separate facts from assumptions and avoid replacing missing measurements or laboratory results with a general assessment.
What to prepare
- a description of the goods and quantity;
- photographs of the products, packaging and labelling;
- dates and a chronology of events;
- contractual, warehouse and transport documents;
- reports and records, if already available.
When a preliminary assessment is needed
If it is unclear whether a commodity examination can answer the question, it is better to send the materials for a preliminary review first. This helps avoid commissioning an examination that cannot provide a substantiated answer.
What to read next
Send materials for a preliminary assessment
Describe the situation and attach the available documents and photographs. After reviewing them, the work format, required materials, cost and time frame can be determined.
- we will check whether the task falls within commodity examination competence;
- we will determine whether documents and an inspection are sufficient;
- if specialist tests are needed, we will identify the laboratory component;
- we will indicate a possible format for the result.