ISO 10399-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10399:2017 — Sensory analysis — Methodology — Duo‑trio test. This International Standard specifies a forced‑choice sensory procedure (duo‑trio) to determine whether a perceptible sensory difference or similarity exists between samples of two products; it is used for testing differences or similarities and for assessor selection, training and monitoring.

Abstract

ISO 10399:2017 describes the duo‑trio test methodology: a forced‑choice procedure applicable when products are reasonably homogeneous and when the nature of any difference may be unknown. The document explains two variants (constant‑reference and balanced‑reference), notes that the method is statistically less efficient than the triangle test but easier for assessors, and describes its principal applications in quality change detection and assessor work.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 7 December 2017
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 67.240 — Sensory analysis
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2017)
• Number of pages: 21

Technical committee: ISO/TC 34/SC 12.

Scope

This standard specifies the procedure for conducting duo‑trio sensory tests to establish whether a perceptible difference or similarity exists between two product samples. It covers both the constant‑reference technique (used when one product is familiar to assessors) and the balanced‑reference technique (used when neither sample is more familiar). The method does not identify the attribute(s) responsible for any difference nor measure its magnitude; it is intended for fairly homogeneous products and for applications such as checking the effect of ingredient, processing, packaging, handling or storage changes, and for assessor selection, training and monitoring.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of the duo‑trio forced‑choice test.
• Detailed procedures for constant‑reference and balanced‑reference techniques.
• Instructions for experimental design, presentation order and sample coding.
• Guidance on assessor selection, training, and monitoring using the method.
• Statistical treatment of results appropriate to the duo‑trio test (decision criteria and interpretation limitations).
• Conditions and limitations: applicability only to fairly homogeneous products and tests that do not require identification of specific attributes or direction/size of difference.

Typical use and users

Used by food and beverage manufacturers, sensory laboratories, product development teams, quality control departments, and academic researchers conducting sensory evaluation. Typical applications include detecting whether a process, formulation or packaging change produced a perceptible difference, validating process control, and training or monitoring panel performance.

Related standards

ISO 10399:2017 is part of the ISO sensory analysis suite and is related to ISO 4120 (triangle test), ISO 8589 (test room design guidance) and other sensory‑method standards. The ISO 2017 edition replaced earlier editions (for example ISO 10399:2004) and has a corresponding European adoption as EN ISO 10399:2018.

Keywords

duo‑trio, sensory analysis, forced‑choice, sensory methodology, assessor training, product difference testing, ISO 10399, sensory testing

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10399:2017 is an International Standard that defines the duo‑trio sensory test method for determining whether a perceptible difference or similarity exists between two product samples.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the procedures, presentation formats (constant‑reference and balanced‑reference), experimental design considerations, assessor guidance and statistical decision criteria for the duo‑trio test, and notes the method’s limitations (it does not locate attributes or measure difference magnitude).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Sensory scientists, quality and product development teams in food and related industries, sensory laboratories, and researchers performing discrimination testing or assessor selection and monitoring.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition is the current ISO edition published in December 2017; it superseded earlier editions (for example the 2004 edition) and has been adopted as EN ISO 10399:2018 in the European context. Users should check national adoption or newer revisions for the latest status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 10399 sits within ISO’s sensory analysis standards and is commonly used alongside standards such as ISO 4120 (triangle test) and ISO 8589 (test room design).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Duo‑trio, sensory analysis, discrimination test, forced‑choice, assessor training, product difference, sensory methodology.