BYU Sensory Lab

The BYU Food Science Sensory Laboratory was established in 1986 and is overseen by Dr. Lynn Ogden Ph.D., past chair of the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. The Sensory Lab was under the management of Dr. Laura Jefferies, Ph.D. from 1998-2011, and is now under management of Dr. Michelle Lloyd Ph.D. In January 1998, the Sensory Lab found its current home in the newly renovated Eyring Science Center. It is a beautiful facility with seven computerized panel booths which use Compusense® data collection and analysis software. Sensory analysis is a useful tool for determining observable differences between treatments of a product and for evaluating consumer acceptability of food, cosmetic, and personal care products. The Sensory Lab has the ability and expertise to conduct acceptance and difference tests using demographically diverse consumer panelists. Computerized data collection and analysis assures rapid and accurate reporting, important qualities for reliable statistical results. Presentation of samples is completely randomized to eliminate first-order bias.