12.3 Sensory panel selection and training

Sensory panel selection and training are crucial for accurate food evaluation. Recruiters screen potential panelists for sensory acuity and consistency, using tests like taste identification and odor recognition. Selected individuals undergo extensive training to develop a shared sensory vocabulary.

Trained panelists learn to use reference standards and rating scales consistently. Ongoing calibration ensures everyone evaluates products similarly. Panel leaders manage recruitment, training, and performance monitoring to maintain a reliable sensory evaluation team.

Panelist Selection

Screening Process

Top images from around the web for Screening Process

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Screening Process

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Improved Separation of Odor Responses in Granule Cells of the Olfactory Bulb During ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Involves recruiting individuals from a target population who are interested in participating in sensory panels
• Potential panelists undergo a series of screening tests to assess their sensory acuity, ability to discriminate between different stimuli, and consistency in their responses
• Screening tests may include basic taste identification (sweet, salty, sour, bitter), odor recognition, and texture discrimination
• Panelists who demonstrate adequate sensory abilities and consistency in their responses are selected for further training

Sensitivity Tests and Criteria

• Sensitivity tests assess a panelist's ability to detect and identify specific sensory attributes at varying intensities
• Common sensitivity tests include threshold tests, which determine the lowest concentration of a stimulus that a panelist can detect (detection threshold) or recognize (recognition threshold)
• Triangle tests are also used, where panelists are presented with three samples, two of which are identical, and asked to identify the odd sample
• Panelist criteria may include availability, health status, and absence of specific food allergies or intolerances that could interfere with their ability to evaluate products accurately

Training and Calibration

Training Sessions and Reference Standards

• Selected panelists undergo extensive training to familiarize themselves with the sensory attributes of interest and to develop a consistent vocabulary for describing these attributes
• Training sessions involve exposure to a wide range of product samples that exhibit varying intensities of the sensory attributes being evaluated
• Reference standards are used to anchor the panelists' perceptions and provide a common basis for comparison (e.g., using a 9-point scale where 1 represents "not sweet" and 9 represents "extremely sweet")
• Panelists are trained to use these reference standards consistently when evaluating product samples

Calibration and Sensory Vocabulary Development

• Calibration involves ensuring that all panelists are using the sensory vocabulary consistently and rating the intensity of sensory attributes similarly
• During calibration sessions, panelists evaluate a set of product samples and discuss their ratings as a group to reach a consensus
• The panel leader facilitates these discussions and helps the panelists refine their understanding of the sensory attributes and the associated vocabulary
• A well-defined sensory vocabulary is essential for effective communication among panelists and for generating consistent and reliable sensory data (e.g., using terms like "astringent," "citrusy," or "umami")

Panel Management

Panel Leader Responsibilities

• The panel leader is responsible for overseeing the sensory panel and ensuring that the panelists are performing their duties effectively
• Key responsibilities include recruiting and screening potential panelists, conducting training and calibration sessions, and managing the logistics of sensory evaluation sessions (scheduling, sample preparation, data collection)
• The panel leader also serves as a liaison between the sensory panel and other departments within the organization, such as product development or quality assurance
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential for a panel leader to maintain a cohesive and motivated sensory panel

Performance Monitoring and Maintenance

• Regular monitoring of panelist performance is crucial to ensure the quality and consistency of sensory data
• Performance monitoring may involve analyzing panelist data for consistency and reliability, conducting periodic re-training or calibration sessions, and providing feedback to individual panelists
• Panelists who consistently underperform or exhibit bias in their evaluations may be removed from the panel and replaced with new recruits
• Maintaining a well-trained and calibrated sensory panel requires ongoing effort and attention to detail, but is essential for generating reliable and actionable sensory insights (e.g., identifying product reformulation opportunities or monitoring competitor products)