Sensory and Organoleptic testing
The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has developed a standard for sensory evaluation methods that can be used to evaluate the organoleptic properties of food products. This standard, known as ISO 8586:2012, provides guidelines for sensory evaluation that can be applied to a wide range of food products, including cereal products.
Here are some fundamental principles of ISO 8586:2012 that can be applied to the sensory testing of cereal products:
- Testing environment: Sensory testing should be conducted in a controlled environment free from external factors that could influence the results. This includes controlling for factors such as lighting, temperature, and noise.
- Panel selection: Sensory testing should be conducted by a trained panel of sensory evaluators who are selected based on their ability to detect and describe sensory attributes of the product. Panellists should be screened and trained to ensure consistency in their evaluations.
- Test design: Sensory testing should be designed to evaluate the specific sensory attributes of the product that are of interest. This includes selecting appropriate test methods, such as discrimination testing or descriptive analysis, and designing the test protocol to ensure reliable and valid results.
- Sample preparation: Sensory testing should be conducted using representative samples of the product, prepared in a consistent and standardized manner.
- Data analysis: Sensory data should be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to determine the significance of differences between samples or identify sensory attributes essential to the product.
By following these principles, cereal product manufacturers can ensure that their sensory testing is reliable and valid and provides valuable information about the sensory attributes of their products. This information can guide product development, optimize production processes, and ensure that the final product meets consumers’ expectations.