Why tasters in Vendée?
“Vendée is undoubtedly the department with the most products under Signs of Origin and Quality (SIQO), around a dozen,” announces Philippe Nicollet, director of the departmental laboratory. Labels that “show that these products are better than other comparison products”.
Mandatory tests
To obtain or maintain these labels, the products must strictly comply with specifications established and maintained by a Control Organization (ODC), ensured in the department by Vendée Qualité. A framework that requires sensory analyzes and taste tests. “Until 2019, Vendée Qualité had to carry out these tests throughout France, in accredited laboratories. It was then necessary to transport the products, respecting a number of hygiene and conservation measures… » explains Philippe Nicollet. Complex conditions which pushed the Vendée department to extend the missions of its environmental laboratory.
“The initiative was born during the time of President Yves Auvinet,” recalls Laurent Favreau, vice-president of the Department. “During a visit to the Vendée Qualité organization, a discussion quickly showed the interest in expanding the laboratory's actions to include sensory analysis missions. An opportunity for us to highlight the quality of Vendée products”, remarks the elected official who also sees “a great opportunity offered to Vendée residents to participate in this desire for local eating and above all to be an actor in the qualification of these products “.
An extension of the laboratory under study
In 2019, the laboratory obtained its accreditation delivered by Cofrac (French Accreditation Committee), the only reference body in France in terms of accreditation. All that remained was to find premises. “We quickly identified the Nature high school and its equipment. Very quickly, an agreement was put in place to launch these tests,” says Philippe Nicollet. Since then, each year, after audit, the accreditation is renewed.
Faced with the success and usefulness of these sensory analyses, the Department has initiated a reflection on the laboratory's missions which are not limited to the analysis of the quality of food, the laboratory also carries out analyzes on different types water (drinking, drilling, etc.), animal health diagnostics, audits, training, etc. all for communities, organizations or private individuals. “A study is underway to re-establish the orientations of the departmental laboratory, with the objective of redefining an action plan on its missions,” indicates the vice-president. He assures us, “the Department always has the desire to continue these sensory analyses”.
This study should be delivered at the end of the year, during December. It will determine whether or not an extension of the current laboratory, located northeast of La Roche-sur-Yon.
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