Behind every food and drink item we enjoy every day, for their taste, texture, and nutritional benefits are teams of experts who are dedicated to ensuring these items are manufactured to the highest quality and safety standards.
Sensory panels and the highly trained specialists on them are vital to this; a cornerstone of the scientific evaluation processes in the food and drink industry, assessing products based on their sensory attributes including taste, smell, appearance, and texture.
This sensory evaluation is crucial for manufacturers and consumers alike, providing invaluable insights that guide product development, quality assurance, and consumer satisfaction.
What is the role of Sensory Panels?
Whilst Sensory Panels in fact serve a variety of functions within food and drink manufacturing processes, their primary role is to assess the sensory characteristics of food and beverage products.
Undertaken in controlled environments underpinned by specific processes, regulations and guidelines, the panels carry out rigorous assessments and tests of food and drink products’ sensory characteristics.
This detailed sensory analysis, and the role of the experts on food Sensory Panels, help manufacturers in various critical areas:
Product Development
During the product development phase, sensory panels play a vital role in evaluating prototypes. Their feedback on various sensory attributes such as flavour, texture, aroma, and appearance enable manufacturers to refine their products in the pre-production phase. Through iterative testing and feedback loops, sensory panels ensure that the final product aligns with consumer preferences and meets market demands. This process helps in creating products that are not only innovative but also appealing to the target audience.
Quality Control
Sensory panels are essential for maintaining product consistency and quality. By conducting regular evaluations of production batches, these panels help identify any deviations from the established standards. This process ensures that every batch of the product meets the desired quality benchmarks and drives a level of consistent quality critical for building brand trust and consumer loyalty. Sensory panels help manufacturers adhere to stringent quality control measures, identifying any sensory inconsistencies and addressing them promptly.
Consumer Acceptance
Understanding consumer preferences and acceptance is crucial for the success of any food or drink product. Sensory panels provide valuable insights into how consumers are likely to perceive a product and in turn the brand associated with them. By simulating consumer experiences, these panels can predict the overall acceptance and potential market performance of a product. This information is invaluable for marketing strategies, product positioning, and making informed decisions about product launches. Sensory panels help bridge the gap between consumer expectations and product offerings, ensuring higher satisfaction and market success.
Reducing Costs
By identifying potential sensory issues early in the food product development cycle, sensory panels help manufacturers avoid costly mistakes. Addressing sensory inconsistencies and quality issues during the development phase prevents expensive recalls and potential requirements for product rework. This efficiency not only saves time and resources but also ensures a smoother product launch. Sensory panels contribute to cost-effective product development by minimising risks and maximising product quality from the outset.
Competitive Advantage
Products that are meticulously refined based on sensory panel feedback have a significant competitive edge. Sensory panels help manufacturers create products that stand out in the market by meeting and exceeding consumer expectations. This competitive advantage leads to higher market share, increased sales, and stronger brand positioning. Sensory panels are a strategic asset for manufacturers looking to differentiate their products and gain a competitive edge in the industry.
What skills are required for Sensory Panels?
We all have our likes and dislikes, especially when it comes to food and drink. We know what we think tastes good, as the right texture, gives us the nutritional value and benefits we need. So, perhaps everyone with a good sense of taste, smell and feel could be part of a sensory panel?
Well, not quite. In fact, for an individual to be part of a sensory panel in the food and drink industry they need specific skills and knowledge, borne out of extensive education, training and experience. They are required to be consistent, reliable, and well-calibrated in their perceptions and assessments, and in the feedback they provide.
As such, every sensory panel requires people to have skills including:
Sensory Acuity
Panellists must possess heightened sensory perception. This ability helps them to detect subtle differences in taste, smell, texture, and appearance. Sensory acuity is critical for providing detailed and accurate feedback on various product attributes; those with keen sensory acuity can identify minor variations that could significantly impact product quality and consumer satisfaction.
Consistency
Consistency in evaluations is crucial for maintaining the reliability of sensory panel assessments. Panellists should be able to provide repeatable and consistent evaluations across multiple sessions. Consistency ensures that the feedback provided is dependable and can be used to make informed decisions about product development and quality control. Training and calibration exercises help panellists maintain high levels of consistency in their evaluations.
Descriptive Ability
Effective communication of sensory experiences is essential for sensory panellists. Having sufficient sensory acuity is simply not enough; it must be supported by an ability to articulate findings and perceptions, using descriptive language to convey their sensory experiences. This ability helps manufacturers understand the nuances of sensory feedback and make necessary adjustments to their products. Training programs often focus on enhancing the descriptive abilities of panellists to ensure clear and actionable feedback.
Attention to Detail
A keen eye for detail ensures that sensory panellists can identify even minor variations in sensory attributes. Attention to detail is critical for detecting subtle changes that could affect product quality. Panellists with strong attention to detail can provide comprehensive feedback that covers all aspects of sensory evaluation. This skill contributes to the overall accuracy and reliability of sensory panel assessments.
Selecting and developing Sensory Panellists
Finding people with the required skills and necessary dedication to be successful, impactful sensory panellists, and being committed to continuing their development as products and processes evolve, is critical for ensuring accurate and reliable sensory evaluations in the food and drink industry.
The continued discovery, nurturing and development of scientific talent for sensory panels will help to ensure they are consistent, reliable, and well-calibrated in their perceptions – essential to maintaining product quality, managing consumer expectations, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Establishing robust hiring and developing strategies is vital. Here are some key considerations:
Selection Criteria
The selection of panellists should be based on their sensory capabilities, consistency, and descriptive skills. Screening tests can help identify suitable candidates with the necessary sensory acuity and attention to detail. Selecting the right individuals ensures that the sensory panel can provide reliable and actionable feedback. Sensory panels should comprise individuals with diverse sensory abilities to capture a broad range of sensory perceptions.
Training Programmes
Comprehensive training programmes are essential for preparing sensory panellists. These programmes should include calibration exercises, familiarisation with product attributes, and practice sessions to enhance consistency and descriptive abilities. Training helps panellists develop a standardised approach to sensory evaluation, ensuring reliable and repeatable assessments. Continuous training and skill development are crucial for maintaining high standards in sensory evaluations.
Continuous Improvement
Ongoing training and evaluation ensure that panellists remain sharp and accurate in their assessments. Regular feedback and refresher courses help maintain high standards and keep panellists updated on new evaluation techniques. Continuous improvement initiatives ensure that sensory panels remain effective and reliable over time. By investing in ongoing training, manufacturers can ensure the long-term success and accuracy of their sensory panels.
Looking for Scientific Sensory Panel support?
The team from Synergy Scientific Solutions work with leading scientific organisations across the world, equipping them with expert talent that catalyse success from within.
At Synergy, we have extensive experience in supporting companies across the food and drink sector with specialist sensory panel expertise and driving the continuous development and improvement of sensory panel talent, processes and outcomes.
