Organic sensory information system (OSIS): documentation of sensory properties through testing and consumer research for the organic industry (ECROPOLIS)
Distributors and promoters of organic food claim superior tastes for their products compared to the conventional alternative. This argument however is still subject to a hard debate and thus deserves more scientific evidence. Since repurchases are dependent on the overall liking of a product, and sensory experiences may have an important impact, knowledge about these dimensions is crucial for producers and marketers of organic food to offer products which meet consumer expectations. The main purpose of this project therefore is to develop the first Organic Sensory Information System (OSIS), a multilingual and centrally based data folder for data deposition along with an interface scheme that serves as a basis for data exchange to the benefit of the organic food market (organic associations, producer, processors, retailer, wholesaler as well as consumers). To this aim, a multidisciplinary and international research approach is necessary which comprises sensory and consumer research linked with standards requirements in different European countries. The extendable data folder will contain descriptions of sensory properties of specific products from six product categories as well as information about underlying production methods which explain the sensory differences between organic and conventional as well as consumer and expectations. The comprehensive sensory evaluations will also result in a preference mapping of sensory quality. The impact of EU legislation and standards of organic farming associations, which define production methods and ingredients, will also be elaborated for OSIS. Qualitative and quantitative consumer research is carried out to develop segment-specific marketing strategies based on OSIS for all stakeholders involved. Comprehensive dissemination and training activities, including the preparation of training materials for all stakeholder groups involved as well as for sale staff, will ensure the broad information of the organic food market.
Contract period:
2009 - 2011
Project code:
218477
Total budget:
2112000
Coordinating Institution:
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland (FiBL) Details of FiBL
Work package leader:
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland
Details of Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland
0. Project coordination and management - Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Agricultural Faculty
Details of Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Agricultural Faculty
1. State-of-the-art and regulatory framework - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland
Details of Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland
2. OSIS concept and technical implementation - Bremerhaven Technology-Transfer-Centre
Details of Bremerhaven Technology-Transfer-Centre
3. Sensory Analysis of organic products - Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
Details of Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
4. Market needs and solutions - Bremerhaven Technology-Transfer-Centre
Details of Bremerhaven Technology-Transfer-Centre
5. Synthesis, recommendations and testing of OSIS - Organic Processors and Traders Association
Details of Organic Processors and Traders Association
6 .Dissemination and training
Subprojects
0. Project coordination and management
1. State-of-the-art and regulatory framework
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.3 Analysis of regulatory framework affecting sensory properties - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.3 Analysis of regulatory framework affecting sensory properties
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.5 Synthesis - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.5 Synthesis
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.4 Market needs and consumer expectations - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.4 Market needs and consumer expectations
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.1 Research framework - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.1 Research framework
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.2 Organic product sensory properties - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 1.2 Organic product sensory properties
2. OSIS concept and technical implementation
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.1 Technical implementation of OSIS - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.1 Technical implementation of OSIS
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.2 Development of a draft concept for OSIS output - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.2 Development of a draft concept for OSIS output
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.3 Needs of stakeholders regarding the OSIS output concept - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 2.3 Needs of stakeholders regarding the OSIS output concept
3. Sensory Analysis of organic products
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.1 Selection of country specific products in the product groups - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.1 Selection of country specific products in the product groups
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.2 Development of sensory profiles - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.2 Development of sensory profiles
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.3 Consumer sensory tests - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.3 Consumer sensory tests
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.4 Preference mapping in combination with consumer sensory tests - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 3.4 Preference mapping in combination with consumer sensory tests
4. Market needs and solutions
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.1 Market needs along the supply chain - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.1 Market needs along the supply chain
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.2 Qualitative consumer research - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.2 Qualitative consumer research
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.3 Target Groups - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.3 Target Groups
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.4 Marketing strategies - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 4.4 Marketing strategies
5. Synthesis, recommendations and testing of OSIS
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.1 Organic regulations - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.1 Organic regulations
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.2 Consumer needs - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.2 Consumer needs
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.3 Improvement Potential - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.3 Improvement Potential
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.4 Recommendations for a research agenda - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.4 Recommendations for a research agenda
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.5 Synthesis technical implementation OSIS - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 5.5 Synthesis technical implementation OSIS
6 .Dissemination and training
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.1: Dissemination activities - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.1: Dissemination activities
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.3 Fact Sheets - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.3 Fact Sheets
- Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.2: Training activities - Detailsof Organic sensory information system (OSIS): 6.2: Training activities


