IRIS: INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES FOR INSIGHTS AND SOLUTIONS, LLCSensory Quality and Quality Control Programs and Product Variability

╚► S5. Product Variability, Quality and Quality Control Sensory Evaluation

Product variability has technical and business implications at the R&D, QA and QC levels —A. Muñoz

First it is important to determine the area to address:

Product Quality

Assess the product quality issues to determine if they are related to formulation or other product issues (vs. QC concerns)
Determine the factors that might affect the product quality and address, often, as research projects

Quality Assurance (QA) sensory assessments

Assess and recommend improvements for established Quality Assurance programs or evaluations
Design and implement the optimal Quality Assurance programs or evaluations, if not present

Quality Control (QC) sensory assessments/programs

In general, the main objectives in establishing a QC/Sensory program are:

MEASURE product variability across production runs, suppliers, batches, plants, seasons, distribution channels or countries
USE variability information AND MAKE RELEVANT PRODUCT DECISIONS at the R&D, Quality Control (QC) or Quality Assurance (QA) levels
INVESTIGATE consumer based drivers of quality and consumer tolerance to product variability (to set sensory specifications)
CONTROL product/production variability
ESTABLISH the best Quality Control (QC) or Quality Assurance (QA Sensory program to meet the company’s needs

The following steps are usually followed when establishing a Quality Control/ Sensory evaluation program:

Assessment of needs
Assess manufacturing issues and partner with QC, QA and manufacturing professionals
Determining product variability through variability studies
Setting Quality Control/Sensory Specifications (management or consumer based)
Assessment and selection of the best Quality Control Sensory Method to implement
Implementing Program
- Select, orient/train the Quality Control or Quality Assurance/sensory (QC/QA Sensory) panel
- Maintain the panel and use of data
Efective use of QC/Sensory data: analysis, interpretation and applications