Quality Control & Sensory Program Management Flashcards

What is the primary role of a lexicon in a sensory QC program?

Answer: To provide standardized attribute terms with definitions and references

A lexicon ensures panelists use the same terms with shared definitions and reference standards.

A QC panel meets only monthly, but production runs daily. What is the main risk?

Answer: Defective batches may ship before detection

Infrequent testing lets out-of-spec product leave the plant undetected.

When setting control limits on a sensory control chart, limits are typically based on:

Answer: Historical variability of acceptable production (e.g., ±3 standard deviations)

Statistical control limits reflect normal process variability, commonly ±3 SD from the mean.

Which situation most calls for a difference test rather than a descriptive QC evaluation?

Answer: Confirming that a cost-reduced ingredient produces no perceptible change

Difference tests efficiently answer whether a change is perceptible, as in ingredient substitutions.

Shelf-life sensory testing within a QC program typically aims to determine:

Answer: The point at which sensory change makes the product unacceptable

Sensory shelf-life testing identifies when quality degrades beyond acceptability.

What documentation is essential for a sensory QC program to be audit-ready (e.g., under ISO or GFSI schemes)?

Answer: SOPs, panelist training records, reference standards, and test results with traceability

Auditors require written procedures, training records, and traceable results.

Which practice best prevents panelist fatigue in daily QC sessions?

Answer: Limit samples per session and provide palate cleansers and breaks

Limiting sample load and providing cleansers and rest reduces adaptation and fatigue.