ASTM E2454-05

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Designation:E2454–05
Standard Guide for
Sensory Evaluation Methods to Determine the Sensory
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Shelf Life of Consumer Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2454; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope materials, or product formulations on the shelf life of products,
and studies designed to identify the causes of changes in
1.1 This guide provides appropriate sensory testing ap-
product attributes over time. However, many of the research
proaches and possible decision criteria for establishing sensory
methods,experimentaldesignconsiderations,anddataanalysis
shelf life of consumer products. It describes research consid-
techniques discussed in this document can be applied to these
erations including: product selection and handling, appropriate
other types of shelf life-related research.
application of various sensory test methods, selection of test
1.5 This guide is not intended to provide a detailed descrip-
intervals, and data analysis techniques for the determination of
tion of how to conduct reliable sensory testing. It assumes
a product’s shelf life end-point.As such, this document covers
knowledge of basic sensory and statistical analysis techniques,
shelf life studies designed to identify the sensory end-point of
focusing instead on special considerations for the specific
a product’s life to manage business risk and meet business
application of sensory testing method to shelf life determina-
needs.Thisguidewillfocusonthepracticalconsiderationsand
tion.
approaches, risks, and criteria that must be considered in
designing, executing, and interpreting shelf life results.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Sensory shelf life is the time period during which the
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
products’ sensory characteristics and performance are as in-
E253 Terminology Relating to Sensory Evaluation of Ma-
tended by the manufacturer. The product is consumable or
terials and Products
usable during this period, providing the end-user with the
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2.2 ASTM Manuals:
intended sensory characteristics, performance, and benefits.
MNL 13 Descriptive Analysis Testing
After this period, however, the product has characteristics or
MNL 26 Sensory Testing Methods
attributes that are not as intended, or it does not perform the
MNL 30 Relating Consumer, Descriptive, and Laboratory
same functions as fresh products or those selected before the
Data to Better Understand Consumer Responses
end of shelf life.
1.3 The goal of all shelf life determination is to estimate the
3. Terminology
time at which a consumer product is no longer usable, unfit for
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
consumption, or no longer has the intended sensory character-
3.1.1 accelerated storage/aging—subjecting a product to
istics.Thedeterminationofasensoryend-pointisafunctionof
extreme or stressed conditions, such as elevated temperatures
the criteria selected, the test method used, and sampling risk.
or humidity, to create changes in product characteristics that
The three following test methods are most commonly used: (1)
are assumed to be related to aging the product.
discrimination, (2) descriptive, and (3) affective. Researchers
3.1.2 control parameters for sensory shelf life determination
have to select criteria and methods that best suit the business
(known as “control”)—specific product or data set (based on
risksassociatedwiththeselectionofafinalshelflifeendpoint.
previous sensory research) designated as the one to which the
1.4 Research techniques designed to identify the causes of
data from stored products are to be compared (see Section 6).
sensory shelf life changes or to develop predictive models of
3.1.3 controlled conditions—set of environmental param-
shelf life are beyond the scope of this document.These include
eters (temperature, humidity, light, oxygen, and so forth) that
the application of regression analysis to develop statistical
are maintained and monitored so that changes in product
models designed to predict sensory shelf life, studies that
attributes can be evaluated relative to these parameters. For
assess the impact of various storage conditions, packaging
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E18 on Sensory contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Evaluation of Materials and Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
mittee E18.05 on Sensory Applications–General. the AS
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