Food safety concerns are the focus of consumers and should also be your focus as a food industry service provider. Sensory analysis of food now takes its place on center stage in planning and implementing any successful food industry business. With food safety as an ongoing concern, you must ensure that the product you are offering is acceptable to your targeted consumers. As you develop new products, you also need to determine sensory desirability for optimal consumer satisfaction--and the insurance you need for the continual feasibility and profit of your business.

The food safety and testing industry is taking advantage of the latest and best technological advances in sensory analysis equipment and methodology to assist you in meeting all of your needs. From a simple food taste test, to determining food testing microbiological values that can afford consumers the assurance they need in buying your product, food safety and sensory analysis labs will provide the services you need, ensuring that food is safe and appealing, and of the highest quality available.

When choosing a lab, always verify its accreditation, credentials, and whether it is the best for your area of concern. With a focus on sensory analysis, food testing labs should provide at least the following types of evaluations:

1. Discrimination Testing.
2. Product Guidance Testing.
3. Descriptive Sensory Analysis.
4. Shelf-life Testing.
5. Web Surveys

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine your sensory analysis needs

Whether it is a new product you are just introducing to the market, or an established product that needs a boost in sales and possibly a change in formula or recipe, sensory analysis is the tool you will need.

I recommend: The Sensory Analysis Center at Kansas State University, was established in 1983 and provides confidential sensory analysis that offers an incredible array of evaluations that include product fingerprinting, quantitative descriptive analysis, product development testing, competitive product comparison, storage and shelf-life testing, quality control monitoring, and independent verification of data. In addition to those, the center provides consumer evaluation services, legal consultation, and project evaluation and expertise. The center itself also offers Masters and Doctorate degrees in Sensory Analysis through the Department of Human Nutrition.

Evaluate your situation to determine your need for sensory testing lab equipment

If you are a provider of a single product or product line, you might decide to purchase your own testing equipment and establish your own testing center and methodology. That takes a significant amount of expertise. Finding out what is necessary and also what minimum qualifications you might need in order to pursue that angle might best be approached by investigating established lab operations.

I recommend: Rtech Laboratories, a business unit of Land O' Lakes specializes in food safety and sensory analysis issues, including nutritional labeling, microbiology, as well as sensory services. ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, offers online, full-text searching for food sensory evaluation testing laboratories and food testing and analysis equipment manufacturers. Denver Instrument has a full range of new and used lab equipment, much of it offered at discounted prices and all products include a 1-year warranty.

Investigate your options before you buy sensory analysis products

If you decide to purchase your own equipment, finding a full-service, quality supplier is the key.

I recommend: NDC Infrared Engineering provides equipment for the food service industry that can analyze various sensory qualities in foods through its thousand of gauges designed for extensive applications. Stable Micro Systems designs and manufactures texture and composition analysis equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contract Laboratory.com is a web-based platform for laboratory outsourcing, founded and managed by a former US Food and Drug Administration Consumer Safety Officer, providing lab resources, service requests, and test requests for a variety of industries, including the food and beverage industry.
• •  When it comes to food safety and testing sensory analysis don't forget about software solutions. Companies like Batchmaster, Owl Software, and Sensory Computer Systems offer unique programs to meet the needs of those in the food and beverage industry.