TAGUCHI SYSTEM OF EXPERIMENTAL-DESIGN AND DATA-ANALYSIS - A QUALITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FOOD-INDUSTRY

The statistical design of experimentation has been used by the food industry as quality engineering technology to counter causes of poor quality in both off-line and on-line quality control for many years. Recently, a new approach to statistical design of experimentation has emerged in the automotive industry based on Taguchi methods. This paper reviews Taguchi's system of experimental design and data analysis and some of the improvements which have been made to them since their adoption in America and Europe. It also seeks to evaluate, on the basis of this review, the potential for application of Taguchi methods in the design and development of food products and processes.