Generic model for the prediction of remaining shelf life in support of cold chain management in pork and poultry supply chains

Abstract

An overall concept for a generic model to predict the remaining shelf life of meat in different steps of the supply chain was developed. It consists of three models: a shelf life model, an inter-organisational cold chain model and a temperature mapping model that includes a heat transfer model. In this concept, shelf life is predicted based on the growth of Pseudomonas sp., taking into account organisational structure, inspection scheme, technical circumstances and temperature conditions in different supply chains. Whereas the shelf life model is almost complete, further work is required to develop the two other models.