To keep up with the rising demand for Jello shots, a company switched packaging to an automatic line. Shortly after, a customer complained of an unexpected bitter taste. Click on the image below to watch this case study and learn how scientists at Eurofins SFA identified the source of the unusual taste and helped eliminate future issues:
Eurofins SF Analytical is renowned for successfully investigating the most challenging problems in food, beverages, and packaging; including product recall support, insurance, and legal investigation. Our experts’ range of expertise from microbiology to analytical chemistry coupled with years of experience makes them the ideal team for foreign material and contamination investigations. Click here to connect with an expert, or visit our website to learn about the full range of offerings.
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Transcript:
The Challenge
To match the rapid growth of Jello shot demand, a company moved their production to a new co-packer with an automated packaging line. After the move, a customer complained about an unexpected bitter taste in their Jello shot. To prevent future issues and maintain a reputation for high-quality products, our client asked us to identify the cause of the bitter taste.
Our Approach
The client provided our team with a batch of suspect and control (no bitter taste) Jello shots. Following extractions, we compared the chemical profiles of the control and suspect samples using FTIR, GC-MS, and LC-MS screens. The screens identified caprolactam as the contaminant, resulting in a bitter taste.
The Solution
Caprolactam is an ingredient in ink. When investigating the new automated packaging procedures, our team noticed the slip sheet on the foil lids was eliminated to save costs, allowing the ink to migrate to the underside of the Jello shot label and onto the product.
Our Team
Eurofins SF Analytical is renowned for successfully investigating the most challenging problems in the food, beverages, and supplement industries, including:
- packaging issues
- product recall support
- insurance and legal investigations
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