What Extended Shelf Life means, why filling is the critical point and what the High Clean technology on Pasin filling machines includes.
Pasteurising a product well is not enough if it is then contaminated as it is poured into the container. This is where ESL (Extended Shelf Life) filling comes in: a cleaner fill that helps the product last longer in the fridge, without going as far as UHT treatment.
What ESL means
ESL stands for Extended Shelf Life. These are chilled products, for example milk, drinking yoghurt or milk-based drinks, which thanks to heat treatment and very hygienic filling keep longer than a pasteurised product filled in the traditional way. The actual shelf life depends on the product, the treatment and the cold chain, and should be verified case by case with laboratory tests.
Why filling is the critical point
After heat treatment the product is almost free of micro-organisms. The risks come afterwards: from room air, the container, the cap, the dosing nozzles. Any contamination at this stage shortens shelf life. That is why ESL aims to minimise whatever can contaminate the product at the moment of filling.
What High Clean includes on Pasin machines
On our automatic filling machines the High Clean version is available as an option and acts at several points of the machine:
H14 HEPA filter, with a filtration efficiency of 99.995%, to inject sterile air inside the machine.
Bottle sterilisation with hydrogen peroxide injection, activated by hot air.
UV-C lamp fitted to the cap placer chute, to treat caps before closing.
To these are added the standard features of the models that include them: rinsing with sterile water or steam, CIP cleaning and SIP sterilisation of the dosing circuits. It is the combination of these measures, not any one of them, that makes the difference.
Which machines it applies to
The High Clean ESL version is available as an option on bottle models such as the Maxima 2000, Maxima 3000 and Maxima 5000, on the Unique 1000 and on the Dama 1000. Check each machine’s page for the available configuration.
When it is worth it
ESL makes sense if you want to reach more distant shops, cut returns for expired product or serve markets where distribution takes longer. If you sell locally and the product is consumed within a few days, normal hygienic filling with CIP may be enough. The two routes have different costs: we are happy to discuss them based on your product.
To find out whether your case needs High Clean, contact us with your product, format and distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Are ESL and UHT the same thing?
No. UHT is a very-high-temperature treatment that makes the product shelf-stable at room temperature. ESL is a chilled product whose shelf life is extended through heat treatment and very clean filling.
How long does an ESL product last?
It depends on the product, the heat treatment and keeping the cold chain. Shelf life should be established with laboratory tests on your product.
Is High Clean an option or standard?
It is an option on the models that offer it. It includes an H14 HEPA filter, bottle sterilisation with hydrogen peroxide and a UV-C lamp.
Is it also available for jars?
It depends on the model. Write to us with your format and product and we will tell you which configurations are available.