999GCSEHelp > Revision subject list > Food Technology > Specification

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Design Specification

The design specification is the first attempt at listing the needs of the product. This specification is completed early on in the development of a product and is quite general and wide.
 
Design specification examples:

• Equipment needed
• Sensory characteristics (taste, texture, appearance, etc.) 
• Ingredients
  
• The maximum cost
• Weight

Product Specification

This is a more detailed specification, undertaken once a decision has been made about the final product. It may be given to a chef in a test kitchen and then will undergo sensory testing before the decision is made for large-scale production. 

Product specification examples:

• Approximate selling price
• Product dimensions
• Nutrition Information
•  Allergens
•  Usage (eg. "It will be used in bakery items")
  
• Packaging 
• Storage 
• Shelf Life
  

Manufacturing Specification

The manufacturing specification lists information the food manufacturer needs to produce the product, so that identical products can on large-scale production. It is a very detailed specification that records the stages of the production process, with details of all the characteristics (shape, size, texture, colour, flavour etc) required in the final product.

It also lists where standard components can be used. (A standard component is a pre-prepared ingredient used in the production of a food product, e.g. pizza bases or ready-made sauces, stock cubes, ready-made icing etc.)

Manufacturing specification examples:

• Sensory characteristics (e.g. "It will be golden brown with a crispy texture." 
• Specific dimensions (with a sketch) (e.g. weight, size, shape)
• Names of ingredients, with weights and proportions.
  
• The size to which ingredients must be used (e.g. Size of grated cheese, nozzle size for icing)
  
• Cooking temperatures
• Total costs of ingredients 
• Specific qualities required (e.g. size of fruit)
  
• Specific packaging requirements
  
• Label information and wording (E.g. Product Name, Nutritional Information, Shelf Life, Cooking instructions)
  
• Photographs to help manufacturer meet difficult parts of the specification