Quality Control Statistics

Abstract

Quality control of any product inherently involves the use of statistical methods. Statistical mathematics is used to evaluate parameters that cannot be determined absolutely. For example, it would be impossible to determine the precise diacetyl level in chilled juice being processed and packaged continuously from fresh extracted fruit, as the juice composition is constantly undergoing change. However, statistical or spot checking could give a good indication of what the quality would be. Although the field of statistics is broad, only a few techniques that may be of use to quality control personnel in citrus processing plants are discussed here.