Toward practical definitions of quality for food science.

A new practical approach to developing workable definitions of quality is presented to overcome the numerous semantic and conceptual difficulties that are common with the use of the word quality in food science. This approach links the concept of quality, through a general definition, by adding the missing link of specific definitions related to measurable attributes and properties determined by standard methods to provide values that can be used to evaluate foods or to set specifications. It is compatible with control, assurance, HACCP, regulatory, TQM, and other normal uses of the both the word quality, and the concept quality, in food science and technology.