US-based ASTM has proposed a standard guide to cover issues considered in product testing on consumers’ making acceptance and preference decisions.
ASTM WK22268, Guide for Two-Sample Acceptance and Preference Testing with Consumers, will be the first standard guide to cover issues considered in hedonic product testing.
“Acceptance and preference testing are cornerstone methods for the sensory science discipline,” says Lori Rothman, section manager, consumer science, Kraft Foods, and an ASTM member.
“While there is variation as to how these tests are conducted, development of a basic primer, such as WK22268, that covers the fundamental issues that must be addressed when designing an acceptance or preference test, is needed.”
Once approved, the proposed standard will serve as a guide for less experienced sensory researchers as well as those with more experience.
It will cover how to establish a product’s hedonic status based on sensory attributes alone, rather than brand, positioning, imagery or other non-sensory aspects.
The guide will be used by people who conduct product testing on food as well as other consumer packaged products.
“Sections of the guide address many of the decisions that researchers need to make when planning, conducting and analyzing results of acceptance and preference testing, with clear instruction as to best practice,” says Rothman.
A flowchart featured in the proposed standard catalogues the process for making acceptance and preference testing decisions.
Rothman says that using the flowchart in conjunction with the various sections of ASTM WK22268 will provide ample consideration of the major factors that guide acceptance and preference testing.
ASTM WK22268 is being developed by Subcommittee E18.04 on Fundamentals of Sensory, part of ASTM International Committee E18 on Sensory Evaluation.
