Optimal ordering and disposal decisions for products with a fixed shelf life

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1453-1465
Author(s):  
Iris-Pandora Krommyda ◽  
Vasileios Tatsis ◽  
Konstantina Skouri

In this paper, motivated by the current increasing interest and action on food waste reduction, inventory decisions of a retailer who deals with a product that has a fixed shelf life are studied. Being a common strategy of many retail stores, we assume that at a specific time instant, close to the expiration date, a price markdown is offered in order to increase demand. However, at the same time, due to customers’ attention to the freshness of the product, the demand becomes a decreasing function with respect to the time remaining before the expiration date. In accordance with the European Union food donation guidelines, we assume that if at the end of the reorder interval unsold items remain that have not exceeded their expiration date, they can be donated to non-profit organizations for human consumption. The donated products can generate direct revenue from tax deductions and indirect revenue by increasing the company’s reputation and gain of goodwill from the customers. If the unsold items have expired, they can be sold at a salvage price to the livestock market. The aim of our model is to determine the reorder interval, the time instant to markdown the product’s initial selling price and the quantity that will be donated or sold to the livestock market so that the profit of the system is maximized. Closed form solutions are obtained, which depend on specific parametric conditions, providing managerial insights.

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMILIO I. LÓPEZ-SABATER ◽  
JOSÉ J. RODRÍGUEZ-JEREZ ◽  
MANUELA HERNÁDEZ-HERRERO ◽  
ARTUR X. ROIG-SAGUÉS ◽  
MARIA T. MORA-VENTURA

Histamine production was studied during controlled tunafish decomposition at 0, 8, and 20°C. The influence of the location of the anatomic section on the amount of histamine formed and the incidence of histidine decarboxylating bacteria were also considered. By the time of sensory rejection, histamine levels in tunafish sections stored at 0 and 20°C were still below the hazard levels and the allowable levels established by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union. Toxic amounts were only formed after the tunafish was considered organoleptically unsuitable for human consumption. However, at 8°C, levels of histamine between 100 and 200 mg/l00 g of fish were found before tuna reached the rejection point. Hence, physical appearance was not a good criterion for estimating the shelf life and especially the histamine-related health hazard when tuna was stored at 8°C, a common temperature in many home refrigerators.


Author(s):  
Rosa Gonzalez-Quevedo ◽  
Constantinos Ziogas ◽  
Ivana Silva ◽  
Rosan Vegter ◽  
Anthony Humphreys

Author(s):  
Christl Li ◽  
Sean B. Cash ◽  
Julie Lesnik ◽  
Timothy S. Griffin ◽  
Joel Mason ◽  
...  

Abstract Although research has demonstrated the positive nutritional value and environmental benefits associated with edible insect consumption, several factors challenge the growth and development of the edible insect industry for human consumption in the US and Canada. Cultural and psychological factors account for much of the aversion US and Canadian consumers display. The absence of specific regulation also constitutes a structural barrier to more widespread production and sale of edible insects. Compared to the US, the European Union has a more developed edible insect industry and has enacted legislation that removes some of the barriers. As consumer awareness of the putative health benefits of edible insects increases, more comprehensive regulations may emerge to keep pace with the growth of this industry. Overall, a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses both benefits and barriers to consumption is needed to facilitate a robust market for edible insects in the US and Canada.


Author(s):  
Katja Lehnert ◽  
Mamun M. Rashid ◽  
Benoy Kumar Barman ◽  
Walter Vetter

AbstractNile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was grown in Bangladesh with four different feeding treatments as part of a project that aims to produce fish in a cost-effective way for low-income consumers in developing countries. Fillet and head tissue was analysed because both tissues were destined for human consumption. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses of transesterified fatty acid methyl ester extracts indicated the presence of ~ 50 fatty acids. Major fatty acids in fillet and head tissue were palmitic acid and oleic acid. Both linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids with three or more double bonds were presented in quantities > 10% of total fatty acids in fillet, but lower in head tissue. Erucic acid levels were below the newly proposed tolerable daily intake in the European Union, based on the consumption of 200 g fillet per day. Moreover, further analysis produced evidence for the presence of the dicarboxylic fatty acid azelaic acid (nonanedioic acid, Di9:0) in head tissue. To verify this uncommon finding, countercurrent chromatography was used to isolate Di9:0 and other dicarboxylic acids from a technical standard followed by its quantification. Di9:0 contributed to 0.4–1.3% of the fatty acid profile in head tissue, but was not detected in fillet. Fish fed with increasing quantities of flaxseed indicated that linoleic acid was the likely precursor of Di9:0 in the head tissue samples.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 941
Author(s):  
Panayiota Xylia ◽  
George Botsaris ◽  
Panagiotis Skandamis ◽  
Nikolaos Tzortzakis

When minimally processed vegetables reach their expiration date, expose an increased microbial load. This includes mainly spoilage microorganisms but also foodborne pathogens, thus affecting the quality and safety of highly consumed ready-to-eat salads. A total of 144 ready-to-eat salads from the Cypriot market were analyzed in an attempt to determine the effects of the expiration date on the microbial load and plant metabolic variables of the salads. Possible correlations between them were also investigated for the first time. Furthermore, the impacts of the season (winter, summer), salad producing companies and type of salad and/or their interactions with the tested parameters were investigated. Results revealed that the microbial load (mainly spoilage microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas spp., yeasts and molds) increased towards the end of the shelf life. The microbial load was differentiated among the five salad producers and/or the salad types, highlighting the importance of a common and safe sanitation-processing chain in the preparation of ready-to-eat salads. Summer was the season in which Escherichia coli counts were found to be higher for plain lettuce, while Staphylococcus spp. was increased numbers for the lettuce+endive/radicchio, lettuce+rocket and lettuce+chives type of salads. Additionally, an increased Staphylococcus spp. was observed for plain rocket salads in winter. All samples examined were found negative for Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. Moreover, carbon dioxide production and damage indexes (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation) increased on expiration date on both winter and summer seasons, indicating plant tissue stress at the end of shelf life. These findings indicate that the expiration date and relevant shelf life of processed vegetables are important parameters to be considered when postharvest management is applied to these products, ensuring safety and quality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 01011
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Dobrowolski ◽  
Grzegorz Pawłowski

The aim of the conducted research is to verify III hypotheses. Hypothesis I: changes in GDP and its components should demonstrate higher dynamics in the euro zone countries than in countries using national currencies, taking into account differences in their level of economic development. Hypothesis II: in countries that joined the euro zone during the period under examination, the analyzed indicators should demonstrate higher dynamics after the adoption of the common currency. Hypothesis III: the index of final consumption expenditure of general government should demonstrate lower dynamics in the euro zone countries and a decline in dynamics after the adoption of the euro in the countries that have done so during the period considered. Statistical material was analyzed. Data on GDP dynamics, investments, final consumption expenditure of households and non-profit institutions serving households (later referred to as: "final consumption expenditure"), final consumption expenditure of general government, export and import were used. The research methods used were: the method of analysis and logical construction and a statistical one. The hypotheses tested were only partially confirmed.


DEDIKASI ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Eka Pratiwi ◽  
Army Auliah ◽  
Maryono Maryono

Herlang Subdistrict is the largest producer of coconut juice (along with Selayar Regency and JenepontoRegency) which is the raw material for coconut sugar production in South Sulawesi. Tugondeng Village is one ofthe villages in Herlang District. About 80% of Tugondeng villagers work in the coconut sugar manufacturingindustry. However, this potential has not well developed due to the low economic value of brown sugar. To increasethe selling price of coconut sugar produced by Tugondeng Village, efforts need to be made to process coconut sapand coconut sugar into products which have higher selling price, namely palm sugar. The steps taken to achieve theobjectives of this activity were : (a) presentation of material on how to process coconut sap and coconut sugar intopalm sugar; and (b) demonstration of preparing palm sugar from coconut sap and coconut sugar. The resultsobtained show that the process of making palm sugar from coconut sap and coconut sugar is quite simple and thepalm sugar produced has longer shelf-life than coconut sugar


Author(s):  
Sara Ugolotti ◽  
Giuseppe Vignali

"The aim of this work is to evaluate the shelf life of cow’s ricotta under MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging). MAP is a packaging technique commonly used in the food industry in order to control the microbial growth. After the extraction of the air present in the headspace of the package, a mixture of CO2, O2 and N2 in different percentage is usually introduced before the packaging sealing. Based on these premises, a design of experimental tests has been created in order to evaluate the effect of each process parameters. To perform these test, it is also required the creation of thermoformed trays (made with a multilayer material using PET/EVOH/PE) in which the ricotta was inserted and packaged in a modified atmosphere. After the time intervals established in the experimental program, the analysis of the MAP was carried out using a special instrument (“Oxybaby” made by Witt SpA), able to measure the quantity of gas present in the headspace of the thermoformed trays. Then a statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out. The results showed that after 10 days the product was edible for all types of atmosphere, but at 20 and, especially, at 30 days, even in the trays wrapped with CO2, the product was not acceptable for human consumption. One of the possible solutions, in order to lengthen the shelf life of cow’s ricotta, consists in the pre-sterilization of the trays before the product packaging with a solution of H2O2."


2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 762-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Brookes

Abstract The use of the technology of genetic modification (GM) in European agriculture and the food supply chain is currently controversial. Because of strong anti-GM technology sentiments, the use of ingredients derived from plants containing GM have largely been eliminated from foods manufactured for direct human consumption by the food supply chain in much of the European Union (EU). During the past year, the attention of those opposed to the technology has turned to the use of GM ingredients in livestock production systems by incorporation of GM soy and maize in animal feed. A discussion is presented of the key issues relating to this subject, focusing on how supplies of GM or non-GM products are segregated or how their identities are preserved. The discussion is centered on GM maize and soybeans into which agronomic traits, such as herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance, have been incorporated. These are currently the only crops into which some varieties containing GM have been approved for use in the EU.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13(62) (2) ◽  
pp. 125-132
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Geanina Bostan

"In the context of economic disparities among the countries of the European Union, the paper analyses the status of financial literacy for people living in East European countries, the way to increase financial knowledge through financial education and finally leading to a higher and more effective financial inclusion. Economic gaps are a major challenge for Eastern European countries. Their recovery can be done through efficient public policies harmonized with actions to increase the degree of financial education of the population. Policy makers, public institutions and non-profit organisation involved in financial education matters can benefit from this analysis and conclusion just as much as researchers. "


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