Almost all types of ice cream include dairy products. Because of this, special conditions for its manufacture and storage must be observed. The shelf life of ice cream is determined by GOST. It is important to pay attention to it so as not to buy a low-quality product.
GOST Standards
The shelf life of ice cream is established by GOST 52175-2003. It is on this GOST that the manufacturer manufacturing the product is oriented. It is recommended to store products for no more than 6 months if they are in the freezer at a temperature of less than 18 degrees.
The shelf life of ice cream is determined by the composition, storage conditions, packaging and manufacturing technology. It is important to pay attention to it when buying products. Shelf life of ice cream pressed without filler is 3.5 months, and with filler - 3 months. In this case, the temperature should be -20 degrees. There may be different storage conditions depending on the type of product.
Production
Soft ice cream created by a freezer has no expiration date. It must be eaten immediately. To obtain a factory dessert, hardening is used - placement in freezers with a temperature in the range of -25 to -35 degrees.
Large packaging is quenched within 10-12 hours, and small - 40-50 minutes. The hardened product hardens, the consistency improves. The shelf life of this type of ice cream is increasing.
In Russia, small-packaged and bulk ice cream is in demand. Bulk products, cakes, rolls are less popular. Since the inhabitants of our country like to get a treat on the way somewhere, they release it in horns, briquettes, glasses, and jars.
Structure
What is the shelf life of ice cream is determined by the fat content and the presence of fillers. The higher the fat content, the longer you can save the product, and its quality does not suffer. Has a long shelf life ice-cream with a fat content of 15-20%. And the shortest storage time for varieties with a fat content of 6%.
The presence of fillers in the dessert reduces the shelf life, since this substance quickly deteriorates compared to other components. Preservatives and additives are important. According to GOST, it is forbidden to add components that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, but some manufacturers do not pay attention to this ban. Products with preservatives are stored longer, but they are not useful.
The classic recipe includes:
- Milk with a fat content of at least 10%. Some manufacturers are replacing it with palm oil. This is beneficial for them, since the raw materials are cheap, and the shelf life is extended, and consumers develop “dependencies” on the product.
- Dry milk residues (9-12%): lactose and proteins.
- Sugar (12-16%) - a combination of syrups and sucrose.
- Water (55-64%).
- Emulsions and stabilizers (0.2-0.5%).
Tara
It must be harmless so that harmful microorganisms do not enter the product. The ability to withstand temperatures up to -40 degrees is also important. Weighted products have a shorter storage period compared to small packaging containers (cups, briquettes, tubes). How long the shelf life of ice cream can be found on the packaging.
Terms
According to Russian GOST, storage conditions are also defined. This applies to products in production, in stores and in catering establishments. Violation of the rules reduces the storage period. The product may deteriorate.
In wholesale stores, products are stored for up to 5 days, and in retail establishments - no more than 48 hours, since it is difficult to achieve the desired temperature and humidity. At retail enterprises, the storage temperature should not exceed -12 degrees. In high-quality freezers, the shelf life is increased.
Freezer storage
The shelf life of ice cream in the freezer depends on the fat content. In a consumer chamber with a temperature of -18 degrees, packaged products without preservatives can lie for a rather long time:
- Dairy with a filler - 1 month, without it - 45 days.
- Creamy with a filler - 1.5 months, without it - 2 months.
- Ice cream - up to 2 months with a filler and up to 3 - without it.
- Waffle cups, popsicle - depends on fat content.
- Frozen sorbet dessert - up to 45 days.
- Fruit and berry - 1.5 months.
- Homemade - does not have a storage period.
- Ice cream cake - 1-3 months.
The shelf life of Magnat ice cream is 18 months. These standards are subject to GOST standards. The shelf life of Inmarko ice cream is 12 months. Now many types of desserts are sold, including one that can be stored for 1-3 years. This is due to the addition of stabilizers and preservatives. Long-term storage affects the consumer properties of products.
Signs of Corruption
When buying a dessert, you need to look at its appearance, since not all manufacturers and sellers observe storage conditions and sales rules. A spoiled product will be noticeable in taste, texture and appearance. It is advisable not to buy dessert if:
- there are foreign smells and smack;
- large ice crystals are observed;
- the texture is heterogeneous and sandy;
- there is a white coating on the chocolate coating.
It is important to pay attention to packaging, product form. If the original appearance is lost, then the reason for this is improper storage or defrosting. You should not buy such a dessert, because although it does not harm, there will be no benefit and taste from it. If the packaging is damaged, harmful microorganisms can enter the product, which leads to poisoning.
It is better to choose ice cream made in accordance with GOST. The less time has passed since the time of manufacture, the better. You can store dessert in a home freezer, but only in compliance with the rules.
Is it useful?
Probably everyone knows that ice cream is a delicious and healthy dessert. During the hot season, the treat restores energy and relieves fatigue. Some believe that there is no cure more effective than insomnia and stress. The composition of the products contains the necessary vitamins and minerals needed by each body.
But in modern production, when synthetic components displace natural ones, there is a possibility of the disappearance of valuable substances. Then the cost of production will be less, but the shelf life will also increase.
The dessert should include natural skim milk, which favorably affects the nervous system. It is thanks to this property that bad sleep, irritability and nervous tension disappear. And these are not just speculations, but facts that have been proved by English and French scientists. And American scientists believe that women who use low-fat dairy products may have difficulty conceiving a baby.
Since the dessert is high-calorie, overweight people can recover even more if they often eat a treat. This sweetness is undesirable in the presence of diabetes. It is important to monitor the throat, as excessive use may cause ARI. But a natural product will do more good than harm. It is only necessary to use it in moderation.