Shelf Life Predictor
Predict food shelf life from water activity, temperature, pH, and preservative use.
Inputs
Results
Predicted Shelf Life (days)
22
Shelf Stable
No
Shelf Life (weeks)3.1
Shelf Life (months)0.7
C. botulinum RiskNo
Mold Growth RiskYes
Yeast Growth RiskNo
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the water activity (aw) of your food product (0–1.0 scale).
- Set storage temperature in °F and pH level.
- Select the preservative level (none, mild natural, or strong chemical).
- The calculator shows predicted shelf life in days, weeks, and months; shelf-stable status; and risk levels for Clostridium botulinum, mold, and yeast.
- Combine aw below 0.85 with pH below 4.6 to achieve dual-barrier preservation and extend shelf life without refrigeration.
How the result changes with Water Activity (aw)
| Water Activity (aw) | Predicted Shelf Life (days) | Shelf Stable |
|---|---|---|
| 0.19 | 584 | Yes |
| 0.42 | 584 | Yes |
| 0.69 | 288 | Yes |
| 0.91 | 11 | No |
What each input means
- Water Activity (aw)
- Water activity of the food product (0-1.0).
- Storage Temperature (°F)
- Expected storage temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
- pH Level
- pH of the food product.
- Preservatives
- Select the preservatives
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersWater Activity (aw) = 0.85, Storage Temperature (°F) = 38, pH Level = 5, Preservatives = 0 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Predicted Shelf LifePredicted Shelf Life22 = 22
- Calculate Shelf StableShelf StableNo = No
- Calculate Shelf LifeShelf Life3.1 = 3.1
- Calculate Shelf LifeShelf Life0.7 = 0.7
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