Northland Sets Up Sensory Insights Division

In the US, full service food testing company Northland Laboratories has launched a sensory insights division, to offer sensory research services to manufacturers, developers and marketers of food and beverage products.

The firm provides chemistry, microbiology, product shelf life determination, nutrition label testing and sensory testing services. While Northland has offered sensory research services for nearly ten years, the new Sensory Insights division will provide access to its consumer testing database, which includes thousands of taste testers representing diverse demographics, including various ethnicities and children aged 7+. Clients can test targeted market segments using behavioral data about each taste testing panelist, including food preferences and eating habits.

The new division is equipped with facilities including testing booths and a separate room to perform descriptive analysis, group sessions, interview sessions, or visual studies that require viewing the whole product or package.

Northland Laboratories' President D.J. Alwattar comments on the launch: 'In addition to access to our sensory scientists who have nearly 50 years of combined experience, food and beverage companies can access thousands of consumers to gain powerful insights into their products and market. Developers and marketers can also gain critical information needed for their companies to ensure the competitiveness, protect the consistency, and improve the acceptability of their products.'

Web sites: www.northlandlabs.com and www.northlandsensoryinsights.com .