The 27th International Standards Organisation (ISO) Meeting of Committee ISO/TC34/SC12 on Sensory Analysis was held on 25 and 26 July in York, UK. Dr Sarah Kemp led the UK delegation representing the British Standards Institute (BSI) Committee AW/012 on sensory analysis, on which she sits as an IFST representative.
The scope of Committee ISO/TC34/SC12 is standardisation in the field of food sensory analysis including vocabulary, general directives, selection and training of sensory assessors, methodology to carry out the different tests, and materials and apparatus specification used in the laboratory. The committee has 25 participating countries and 25 observing countries. Participation is important for the UK, as the BSI typically adopts ISO sensory standards, rather than developing its own standards.
At the meeting, proposals to work on new standards were accepted, including Check All That Apply (CATA), consumer segmentation, judging and evaluating spirits, and general guidance for conducting perception tests with consumer usage conditions in uncontrolled areas.
Standards under development and review were discussed, including those for triangle test, magnitude estimation method and general guidance for conducting hedonic tests with consumers in a controlled area. The UK volunteered to participate in a working group on panel selection, training and monitoring to oversee the development of two standards on that topic.
A workshop on a standard for guidance on substantiation for sensory and consumer claims was held prior to the main committee meeting, in which Lauren Rodgers represented the BSI. A draft standard for discussion was agreed, and it is anticipated that the standard may be ready for publication in 2020.
BSI Committee AW/012 on sensory analysis is looking for new member trade bodies, academic institutions, associations, societies, etc. If you or your organisation are interested in participating on the committee, please contact Sarah Kemp via IFST.