Our clients are interested in establishing a sensory panel but are facing budget constraints for constructing sensory test facilities. Furthermore, they have concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on sensory testing. These challenges have led some clients to abandon sensory panel development altogether.
The Context
An FMCG company wanted to conduct sensory testing to evaluate Japanese sensory panelists’ perceived performance of body care products. They also wanted to build a trained sensory panel to periodically evaluate perceived product performance in the Japanese marketplace, where consumers pay close attention to skin conditions.
The Challenge
No available sensory facilities and COVID-19 impacts
While trained sensory panels required sensory testing rooms to control testing conditions, the client did not have such a facility. Furthermore, Covid-19 required (and still requires) social distancing and remote working to avoid spreading viruses.
The Solution Approach
Sensory training and testing remotely
To tackle the challenge, we did everything remotely. In collaboration with recruiters, we recruited panelists who had high descriptive and product differentiation skills online. We ensured the panelists evaluated samples under controlled conditions in their rooms and developed terminology and descriptive scaling for the sensory training. Before product testing, we confirmed their evaluations were repeatable and reproducible at both the individual and group levels.
The Outcome
The sensory panel training and validations went smoothly thanks to the highly motivated and engaged panelists. As a result, the panel is now conducting regular sensory testing.