Teagasc launches Sensory Food Network Ireland

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-network-training-image7218230A new network of excellence in sensory food science, ‘Sensory Food Network Ireland’ has been officially launched.

 

It has been established, according to Teagasc, Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority, to promote the integration of sensory science activities on the island of Ireland and includes ten leading institutions with expertise in sensory science. This sensory network will become an integral part of the food and beverage industry, in supporting new product development by providing services such as product matching, consumer acceptance and flavour chemistry.

 

Teagasc describes sensory food science as the study of how we as consumers perceive foods with each of our senses, noting that the importance of a scientifically sound approach to the sensory evaluation of food has received increasing recognition by the food industry in Ireland.

 

“This investment in research by my Department through the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) will strengthen and integrate the current expertise in sensory food science in Ireland and provide a platform that will better address the needs of the food industry in terms of the development of new products tailored to customer requirements in new and existing markets,” said Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) at the launch. “This will assist in meeting our ambitions for the agri-food sector.”

 

Achieving the potential for growth within the Irish food industry requires a two-way partnership between the scientific community and the food industry, Teagasc believes. Facilitating this partnership, as well as delivering comprehensive and excellent sensory science services are key elements of the network’s vision.

 

“The network is proactively seeking interaction with industry and other research institutes to grow and develop the field of sensory science on the island of Ireland,” said Dr Eimear Gallagher, Teagasc Food Researcher, who is the lead co-ordinator of the network.