Evidence of regional differences in chlorine perception by consumers: sensitivity differences or habituation?

Chlorinous flavors are a leading cause of customers9 dissatisfaction with drinking water. Potential differences in chlorine perception were investigated by conducting sensory testing experiments in France and Spain to assess consumers9 sensory sensitivity (chlorine flavor detection threshold and supra-threshold intensity) as well as their liking of and acceptability for chlorinated solutions. In both countries, two groups of panelists were constituted based on their water drinking habits (tap vs. bottled water). Chlorine flavor detection threshold was found to vary depending on countries (0.17 mg/L Cl 2 in France and 0.56 mg/L Cl 2 in Spain). Taking into account that mean flavor detection t…