Quality control is the sum of all those controllable factors that ultimately influence positively or negatively the quality of the finished product e.g. selection of raw materials, processing methods, packaging, methods of storage distribution etc. Quality is defined as any of the features that make something what it is or the degree of excellence or superiority (1). The word "quality" is used in various ways as applied to food. Quality product to the salesman means one of high quality and usually at an expensive nature e.g. champagne is considered a quality as compared to fish and chips. Likewise for fresh produce, the word "quality" refers to the attributes of the food which make it agreeable to the person who eats it. This involves positive factors like colour, flavour, texture and nutritive value as well as the negative characteristic such as freedom from harmful micro-organisms and undesirable substances.
The term control does not imply that a poor raw material can be converted into a good finished product. In food processing, the general rule is that the effective methods must be carefully applied to conserve the original qualities of the raw materials. Processing cannot improve the raw material.
The aim of quality control is to achieve as good and as consistent a standard of quality in the product being produced as is compatible with the market for which the product is designed. (2)