EuroSense 2026 in Oslo, Norway, provided the perfect stage to share four pieces of work exploring how sensory and consumer research can move beyond measurement to create meaningful product direction.
From evaluating cooling sensations in topical pain relief to understanding the impact of GLP-1 medications on food and beverage choices, accelerating product formulation, and linking sensory profiles to consumer liking, our posters highlighted methodologies designed to generate insight that is both scientifically robust and commercially useful.
Cooling Effect Evaluation of a Topical Pain Relief Gel
Objective Thermal Response and Perceived Cooling Sensation Following Application of Biofreeze, Reckitt
Pharmacists increasingly rely on robust, evidence‑based data when recommending over‑the‑counter treatments, particularly in categories where sensory claims influence consumer choice. A leading healthcare brand sought to strengthen pharmacist confidence in its topical pain relief gel by generating clear, objective proof that the product delivers a measurable cooling effect. To achieve this, Curion (formerly Blue Yonder) designed and executed a controlled Central Location Test (CLT), integrating biometric measurement with real‑time consumer feedback to validate both the physical and perceived cooling experience.
The methodology combined three complementary data sources: thermal imaging to visually document changes in skin temperature, temperature‑gun readings collected pre‑application and at regular intervals over an 11‑minute period, and self‑reported sensory surveys to capture the speed and intensity of users’ perceived cooling effect. This multi‑modal approach ensured that the cooling claim was evaluated both objectively and experientially, providing a holistic understanding of product performance.
The results were compelling. The study demonstrated an average skin‑temperature reduction of over 10%, supported by clear thermal imagery, and revealed that 100% of participants reported feeling a cooling sensation within two minutes of application. These findings translated a marketing claim into scientifically validated evidence that pharmacists can confidently rely on when recommending the product to patients.
This poster illustrates the study’s design, technology, and outcomes, highlighting how integrated measurement frameworks can elevate claim validation, drive professional endorsement, and ultimately support stronger marketplace performance for healthcare brands.
Author: Kate Binner, Sr. Client Relationship Director, Curion
The Consumer Impact of GLP-1
Understanding the Far-Researching Consequences of the Biggest Change to Food and Beverage Habits This Century
GLP1 medications are reshaping food and beverage behavior at scale, with implications for every category. Curion has partnered to conduct one of the first comprehensive sensory focused assessments of GLP1’s impact across the US and UK.
This study combines real-time digital data capture with established research methods to examine both the immediate and longer-term effects of GLP1 on consumption habits. While appetite reduction is the most visible outcome, food and beverage choices are also driven by social, emotional, and sensory needs. Our research therefore goes beyond functional intake to understand how these deeper needs shift for those taking the medication.
We explored the lived experience of consumers across three groups: Before, During, and After taking GLP1. With approximately 15% of US and UK consumers exposed to the medication at any given time – and over six months of use being typical – GLP1 has created a large and growing population whose eating patterns have been fundamentally rewired. These changes persist long enough to reshape long term preferences and sensory expectations.
Our findings reveal meaningful behavioural and sensory shifts with direct implications for formulation, packaging, and product development. Nutrition, hydration, and emotional drivers of consumption are all affected.
While GLP1 presents risks for established product portfolios, it also unlocks significant new opportunities for innovation. This paper/poster summarises these emerging patterns, highlights where consumer needs are moving, and showcases how forward-thinking businesses are already adapting to this new landscape.
Author: Hannah Over, Associate Director of Innovation, Curion
Accelerating Sensory-Driven Innovation Through Sequential Recycling
A Real-Time, Low-Risk Approach To Deliver Market Ready Product Formulations, Faster
Sequential recycling is an innovative development process where consumer feedback informs real-time refinement of concepts, formulations, or prototypes.
Using beverage formulation as an example, this method replaces traditional linear testing with rapid, iterative improvement informed directly by consumers.
Instead of evaluating a fixed set of samples, formulation teams operate “live” in a back‑room environment, adjusting aroma, flavors balance, sweetness, or other sensory attributes immediately in response to consumer input. Updated formulations are then re‑served to the same participants to assess progress toward an identified ideal. Each session includes multiple rounds of refinement and validation, yielding a rich understanding of sensory drivers of preference.
This approach significantly accelerates development timelines while reducing risk. Rapid feedback loops replace the weeks typically required for reformulation, re‑production, and re‑testing. By the end of the final session, teams have clear formulation guardrails and validated pathways to optimal product delivery.
Sequential recycling offers strong industrial and societal benefits aligned with SDG2030. Faster, insight‑driven decision making reduces resource waste, minimizes unnecessary prototyping cycles, and supports more sustainable innovation processes (“planet”). It empowers cross‑functional collaboration and ensures products meet genuine consumer needs (“people”), ultimately enabling companies to bring successful, well‑targeted products to market more efficiently (“prosperity”).
The method can be applied across a range of development challenges – claims, product formulations, prototypes, packaging iterations – making it a versatile and future‑fit tool for sensory and consumer‑driven innovation.
Author: Kate Binner, Sr. Client Relationship Director, Curion
Linking Descriptive Profile to Consumer Liking
A Comparative Study of Sensory Methods with Johnsonville
As the meat snack category continues to evolve, understanding the sensory attributes that drive consumer preference is increasingly important for product development and optimization. This study applied the Curion PROP™ framework which integrates consumer acceptance with descriptive sensory analysis to evaluate how different descriptive methodologies influence the identification of key drivers of liking for meat sticks.
While combining consumer and trained panel data is a well-established practice in sensory science, limited research has directly compared how different descriptive methods shape interpretation, insights, and actionable recommendations. The objective of this research was to evaluate two widely used descriptive approaches and assess their alignment, strengths, and implications for product decision-making.
A consumer acceptance test was conducted with 200 participants who evaluated thirteen commercially available meat stick products. Descriptive sensory data were then collected using two separate trained panels employing distinct methodologies: Curion QDA® and the Universal Scale method. Multivariate statistical techniques, including Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) and Multiple Dimensional Alignment (MDA), were used to compare the resulting datasets in terms of lexicon structure, attribute relationships, and linkage to consumer liking.
Results demonstrate strong correspondence between the two descriptive lexicons, indicating shared underlying sensory dimensions across methods. At the same time, meaningful differences emerged in how each approach characterized product profiles and informed interpretation of drivers of liking. These findings underscore the importance of method selection in sensory research and provide guidance on how different descriptive techniques can influence strategic recommendations for product development in the meat snack category.
Author: Shilpa Samant, Sr. Director, Strategic Product Insights, Curion
In summary...
Taken together, the four posters show how sensory and consumer science is evolving from a measurement discipline into a practical engine for innovation. Whether validating product claims, anticipating the impact of major behavioural shifts, accelerating formulation decisions, or connecting sensory profiles with consumer preference, each study demonstrates the value of robust methodology paired with real-world commercial application. The common thread is clear: better insight leads to better decisions, faster innovation, and products that are more closely aligned with what consumers need, feel, and choose.