What is the main intent of conducting calibration in a sensory panel?

The main intent of conducting calibration in a sensory panel is to maintain product consistency. Calibration provides a systematic approach to ensure that all panelists interpret and assess sensory attributes in a similar manner, leading to reliable and coherent results. This consistent assessment is crucial for product evaluation and development processes, especially when multiple products or formulations are being compared over time. By enhancing the reliability of the sensory data, calibration helps to ensure that the sensory characteristics of a product remain stable and aligned with consumer expectations, thus contributing to overall product quality.

While improving panelist training and addressing biases are important aspects of sensory evaluation, they are not the primary goal of calibration. Additionally, evaluating market trends is more about understanding consumer preferences rather than ensuring panel consistency. Calibration focuses specifically on the coherence of sensory evaluations rather than external market influences.