(ISO: Geneva) -- When trying to describe the taste, smell, or feel of a product, a universe of terms and sensations will come to mind. This can be problematic when comparing products through sensory analysis. A new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard will reduce this complexity by ensuring that sensory tests and results are communicated in a consistent manner.

Sensory analysis applies sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing to test and compare consumer products. Food, cosmetic, fragrance, textile, and other industries use it to evaluate new and established products, ensure that product quality is maintained, assess shelf life, and investigate new products, or revise and improve existing ones.

ISO 5492:2008—“Sensory analysis—Vocabulary” lists terms and definitions relating to sensory analysis, thus promoting global consistency in a field which must often rely on the subjective experience of assessors and an overwhelming multiplicity of descriptive terms.

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