Gender Perspectives in Sensory and Consumer Science

Sex and gender strongly shape food perception, preference, and choice, yet their role in sensory and consumer science is often overlooked or conflated. This chapter reviews how these constructs are measured and reported, highlighting that although sex/gender is routinely collected, it is rarely central to research questions and often treated in binary terms. Conceptual distinctions between sex and gender, as well as their intersection with other identity variables, are discussed to underscore the need for inclusive and precise approaches. Methodological issues include inconsistent terminology, limited sample diversity, and statistical practices that exaggerate differences while neglecting similarities or within-group variation. Evidence across taste responsiveness and food preferences reveals both robust patterns (e.g., greater pungency sensitivity in women, stronger liking for high-fat and salty foods in men) and inconsistent findings. We argue that integrating sex-, gender-, and intersectionality-sensitive approaches is crucial for more rigorous, equitable, and innovative consumer science.