The European Sensory Network (ESN) is an international association of leading

academic An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary education, secondary or tertiary education, tertiary higher education, higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membershi ...

and

research institutions A research institute, research centre, research center or research organization, is an establishment founded for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research. Although the term often i ...

in the field of sensory and consumer sciences
ESN members
share their knowledge and expertise and work towards standard methodologies. The network was founded in 1989 to meet the challenge of the rapidly developing science of

sensory analysis Sensory analysis (or sensory evaluation) is a science, scientific discipline that applies principles of experimental design and statistical analysis to the use of human senses (visual perception, sight, olfaction, smell, taste, touch and Hearing ( ...

Aims

The aims of the European Sensory Network are: * to further the development and application of sensory science in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

* to improve sensory and consumer testing methodology for the benefit of the

European food European cuisine comprises the cuisines of Europe "European Cuisine."seminars A seminar is a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some parti ...

and conference

for industry participants in various countries. * Method development and testing: new methods have been developed, internationally tested and compared * Collaborative research: sensory and consumer studies on an international scale; publication of results in international reviews A focus of ESN activities is on cross-border studies. ESN offers numerous cross-

border Borders are usually defined as geographical boundaries, imposed either by features such as oceans and terrain, or by political entities such as governments, sovereign states, federated states, and other subnational entities. Political borders c ...

links between sensory scientists and industrial partners. Through the network the members provide international contacts for industry regarding sensory analysis and consumer studies.

ESN Studies

Some examples: * Proficiency Testing in Sensory Analysi

within the frame of the EU-funded project "ProfiSens", ESN has contributed to the development of international guidelines on how to evaluate panel performance and on how to monitor the consistency and comparability of test data in sensory laboratories. * Calibration methods: ESN members took part in the EU-funded project "Calibsensory", which developed reference samples and calibration procedures for sensory testing of

food contact materials Food contact materials are materials that are intended to be in contact with food. These can be things that are quite obvious like a glass or a can for soft drinks as well as machinery in a food factory or a coffee machine. Food contact materia ...

(

paper Paper is a thin sheet material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibres derived from wood, rags, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh leaving the fibre evenly distributed ...

and board). * By its participation in the EU study „Healthy aging“ (HealthSens

ESN members have contributed to new findings on how changes in sensory physiology, sensory psychology and socio-cognitive factors influence food choice in old age. * In the EU-project „Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELEN

ESN members have compared eating habits of young people in five different European countries and identified barriers to healthy eating. They are involved in the development of new appealing healthy foods for young European consumers.

References

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External links

ESN website
International scientific organizations based in Europe