Training Profile

The sensory evaluation lab provides teaching and learning services for undergraduates. The lab also provides research training for postgraduates in areas of sensory science and product development. Postgraduates can also have access to our certificate courses in sensory analysis and can become a trained sensory analyst or a trained food taster. Students may have internships and experiential learning opportunities with us and would also get the chance to meet food industry experts and consultants. 

The sensory evaluation lab provides training for organizations that require training on various aspects of sensory. The lab trains participants who:

• Want to be panelists

• Need the expertise to conduct sensory tests

• Educate staff and management on benefits of sensory

The following training packages are provided by the lab:

1. Panel screening and training – This training is recommended for participants interested in becoming qualified trained food tasters.  A taste and aroma sensitivity screening of participants is carried out followed by a 5-week comprehensive training on Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) methodology for taste panellist or Quality Grading for people who wish to become trained tasters. 

2. Introduction to sensory testing – This one day training introduces participants to sensory analysis as a science and its importance to food product quality testing. There is an introduction to sensory modalities and terms to describe them, how to design a sensory test, tips for successful sensory test setup and reporting on sensory tests.

3. Introduction to sensory testing with screening- This one-day training introduces participants to the science of sensory analysis and testing, its importance to product quality testing, introduction to sensory modalities, designing a sensory test, tips for successful sensory test setup and reporting on sensory tests. The training includes an aroma and taste sensitivity screening to determine sensory acuity of participants. 

4. Tailored training – Trainings can be tailored to suite your unique testing needs with a focus  in any of these areas:

   1. Conducting sensory testing for quality assurance for a specific product

   2. Sensory testing during product development using a consumer-led approach

   15. Other tailored trainings may be designed on request in any of the following areas:

       1. Specific sensory test methods – Discrimination test methods, Descriptive test methods, Consumer test methods

       2. Consumer-led product development process

       3. Establishing and maintaining sensory panels

       4. Product specific quality grading methods

Things to note

• Training may last for 3 days -2 weeks depending on the selected content and educational level of participants.

• Trainings are both theoritical and practical

• Certificate of participation is given