Quality monitoring in the supermarket
The best place to assess what the consumer truly experiences when they shop for food, is the supermarket shelf. That is why we measure the quality of supermarket products for you, in the exact same way a consumer would experience them when buying them.
The quality of Fresh Produce fluctuates throughout the year. It is largely determined by seasonal influences and choices made during production, in the supply chain and on the shop floor. Think, for example, of the sugar content and firmness of strawberries in the winter, or the impact of a week with tropical temperatures on the quality of the fruit and vegetables in the summer. To ensure that the quality is always constant, we measure it in the supermarket for you.
Optimising the flavour and shelf life of fresh products is a never-ending challenge, which is why we monitor quality on a weekly basis. Each week, we buy products in supermarkets and analyse them in our lab.
The reports are short and to the point, and immediately implementable. Supermarket chains and their suppliers use these reports to continuously analyse the quality of their products and to implement improvements in the supply chain.
We measure quality “through the eyes of the consumer”. In our programmes, we measure the aspects that really make a difference for consumers, such as sugar content, texture, dry matter content, viscosity and water activity.
In addition, we measure a series of product-specific aspects. For strawberries, we measure defects; for tomatoes, the colour; and for ready-to-cook vegetables, the recipe. Each measurement is combined with a flavour assessment. This process creates a 360-degree picture of the product: a combination of concrete measurements and flavour and appearance assessments.
| Flavour | Appearance |
| Sugar content (Brix) | Sizing |
| Acid (titratable) | Colour |
| Acidity (pH) | Damage and marks |
| Dry matter | Defects |
| Texture (pressure) | Freshness score |
| Water activity (Aw) | Appearance score |
| Viscosity | |
| Juice percentage | |
| Flavour score |
We help you to ensure that the quality of your fruit and vegetables is of the right level. With our knowledge and over 25 years of experience, you are guaranteed the best sparring partner. We have in-house inspectors, measure the quality of Fresh Produce in supermarkets, offer quality training and perform Fresh Produce shelf life tests. Check out the complete overview of Fresh Produce services we offer here.
