Mérieux NutriSciences, Chicago, IL, an international network of accredited food testing and consulting laboratories, revealed that its Sensory and Consumer Research Center in Bentonville, AR, has been accredited to ISO 17025. The internationally recognized standard verifies facilities are in compliance with the organization’s rigorous quality assurance management and technical requirements.

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) completed the evaluation, making the Bentonville facility one the first independent sensory laboratories to be accredited to ISO 17025 in North America.
 
“The Bentonville Sensory and Consumer Research Center has served many national and multinational companies with highly professional and confidential services for over three decades,” said Pamela Coleman, vice president of research services for Mérieux NutriSciences. In many respects, our accreditation is unique and underscores that our technical and operational standards are maintained at the same high levels of other industry laboratories.”
 
At over 8,300 square-feet, the Bentonville Sensory and Consumer Research Center offers a full complement of sensory services, including descriptive analysis, directional attribute testing (DAT), large-scale consumer panels, panel training, specification creation, and qualitative consumer assessments. The state-of-the-art facility features ASTM standard booths, fully equipped prep kitchens, sensory evaluation training rooms and physical testing laboratories.
 
Gillian Dagan, research services business development director for Mérieux NutriSciences, said the Bentonville facility has expanded its portfolio of services while raising its commitment to deliver more insightful and substantiated data to customers. “Knowledgeable product developers and buyers are conducting sensory research studies and receiving more insight on their products than ever before,” Dagan stated. “Without question, partnering with an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory has become a necessity in today’s competitive marketplace.”