Dear potential participants,

The Sensory Science Center (Director: Dr. Han-Seok Seo, Department of Food Science) is conducting a tasting study regarding consumer perception of food samples. This study will be conducted in the participants home.

In this study, you will be asked to pick up a meal kit sample from the University of Arkansas Sensory Science Center (2650 Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 70704), and then prepare and evaluate the sample in terms of their sensory aspects (e.g., smell, taste, appearance, or texture, etc.). It will take about 30 minutes to complete this study.

You will be asked to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking for 2 hours prior to the participation; drinking water is allowed. If you complete the tasting study, you will receive Amazon e-gift card ($20) as panel reward.

Note: COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, you are not encouraged to participate at this study if you have at least one symptoms in the past 14 days:

- Fever > 100.4 F
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle aches unrelated to exercise or activity
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Contact with someone infected with COVID-19
- Travel a hot spot, as identified by Arkansas Department of Health (for detail, click the link: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-travelers)

Also, based on currently available information and clinical expertise, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (see below) are not encouraged to participate at this study:
- People 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have serious heart conditions
- People who are immunocompromised

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
- People with severe obesity (body mass index of 40 or higher)
- People with diabetes
- People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- People with liver disease
Furthermore, to minimize a potential risk of COVID-19, you are strongly encouraged to wear a facial mask when you visit a study place to pick up the sample and follow a santizing guideline (hand washing and no touch with your facial areas, especially eyes, nose, lips, and mouth) before, during, and after the study.

Participation is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason. Your decision to withdraw will bring no negative consequence.

If you are interested in this study, please select "Next" to register for the study. If you are selected, your schedule of the tasting test will be noticed via an email. If you have any questions, please contact the Principal Investigator (Dr. Han-Seok Seo; hanseok@uark.edu; 479-575-4778).

Thank you for considering this invitation.

Han-Seok Seo, PhD
Associate Professor and Director
University of Arkansas Sensory Science Center
Department of Food Science
University of Arkansas
Email: hanseok@uark.edu; Tel:479-575-4778