Contact details +6469517219

Dr Annu Mehta MSci, PhD

Research Officer - Feast

School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences

Dr Annu Mehta is a skilled sensory scientist and food technologist, with extensive experience working on a range of food products and beverages. She completed her PhD at Lincoln University, where her research focused on the influence of various packaging materials on consumer emotions and perceptions. Dr. Mehta’s work explored the psychological and physiological responses of consumers to packaging and examined how these affects product acceptability.

In addition to her research, she has been involved in new product development, with a focus on evaluating how different food textures influence the product’s mouthfeel perception. She applied advanced tribological techniques and Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) analysis to investigate these sensory changes.

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Professional

Contact details

  • Location: 1.15, Feast Lab, Ecology Building
    Campus: Manawatu

Qualifications

  • Master of Science in Food Innovation, with Distinction - Lincoln University (2021)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Lincoln University (2024)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Sensory Science

Consumer studies

Emotional responses

Texture and Mouthfeel perception

Food packaging materials

Thematics

Health and Well-being, Future Food Systems

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000)

Keywords

Sensory Science

Consumer studies

Emotional responses

Texture and Mouthfeel perception

Food packaging materials

Research Outputs

Journal

Mehta, A., Giezenaar, C., Godfrey, AJR., Orr, RE., Poggesi, S., Foster, M., . . . Hort, J. (2026). Effects of personality traits and context congruency on participant engagement in traditional central location tests and congruent versus incongruent digital immersive environments during affective product testing. Food Quality and Preference. 142
[Journal article]Authored by: Godfrey, A., Hort, J., Mehta, A.
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Wagner, J., Mehta, A., Poggesi, S., & Hort, J. (2026). Analytic-holistic tendencies differentially impact consumer response dependent on measurement method and context: A case study with chocolate. Food Quality and Preference. 140
[Journal article]Authored by: Hort, J., Mehta, A., Wagner, J.
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1
Giezenaar, C., Mehta, A., Orr, RE., Godfrey, AJR., Foster, M., & Hort, J. (2025). Exploring the association of personal factors with affective responses to plant-based meat alternatives with consideration of their perceived similarity to meat.. Food Quality and Preference. 133
[Journal article]Authored by: Godfrey, A., Hort, J., Mehta, A.
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1
Kaur, H., Mehta, A., & Kumar, L. (2025). Starch-tannin interactions: Influence of grape tannins on structure, texture, and digestibility of starches from different botanical sources. Food Hydrocolloids. 162
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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15
Mehta, A., Kumar, L., Serventi, L., Morton, JD., & Torrico, DD. (2024). Bacterial cellulose infusion: A comprehensive investigation into textural, tribological and temporal sensory evaluation of ice creams. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 281(Part 3), Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813024073197
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., & Torrico, DD. (2024). Effects of repeated tasting sessions on acceptability, emotional responses, and purchasing behaviors of waste-to-value-addedSCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) ice cream. Journal of Sensory Studies. 39(2)
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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3
Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., Morton, JD., & Torrico, DD. (2024). Packaging, perception, and acceptability: a comprehensive exploration of extrinsic attributes and consumer behaviours in novel food product systems. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 59(10), 6725-6745
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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13
Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., & Torrico, DD. (2024). Exploring the effects of packaging on consumer experience and purchase behaviour: insights from eye tracking and facial expressions on orange juice. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 59(11), 8445-8460
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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16
Mehta, A., Kumar, L., Serventi, L., Schlich, P., & Torrico, DD. (2023). Exploring the textural dynamics of dairy and plant-based yoghurts: A comprehensive study.. Food Research International. 171, Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996923006038
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., & Torrico, DD. (2023). The Scoop on SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast): Exploring Consumer Behaviours towards a Novel Ice Cream. Foods. 12(17)
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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8
Thakur, M., Sharma, C., Mehta, A., & Torrico, DD. (2022). Health claim effects on consumer acceptability, emotional responses, and purchase intent of protein bars. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 8, Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154322000242
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Torrico, DD., Mehta, A., & Borssato, AB. (2022). New methods to assess sensory responses: a brief review of innovative techniques in sensory evaluation. Current Opinion in Food Science. 49, Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214799322001801
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., Viejo, CG., Fuentes, S., & Torrico, DD. (2022). Influence of expectations and emotions raised by packaging characteristics on orange juice acceptability and choice. Food Packaging and Shelf Life. 33, Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214289422001181
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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Alderson, H., Liu, C., Mehta, A., Gala, HS., Mazive, NR., Chen, Y., . . . Serventi, L. (2021). Sensory Profile of Kombucha Brewed with New Zealand Ingredients by Focus Group and Word Clouds. Fermentation. 7(3), Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/7/3/100
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Mehta, A., Sharma, C., Kanala, M., Thakur, M., Harrison, R., & Torrico, DD. (2021). Self-Reported Emotions and Facial Expressions on Consumer Acceptability: A Study Using Energy Drinks. Foods. 10(2), Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/2/330
[Journal article]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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Book

Serventi, L., Keeling, I., Harris, A., Craig, A., Adams, MR., Bi, Y., . . . Feng, Z. (2023). Water Soluble Vitamins. In L. Serventi (Ed.) Sustainable Food Innovation. (pp. 91 - 106). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
[Chapter]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Russell, JS., Khorozova, Y., Mehta, A., & Serventi, L. (2023). Protein. In L. Serventi (Ed.) Sustainable Food Innovation. (pp. 45 - 58). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
[Chapter]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Paterson, SC., Mulholland, TC., Mehta, A., & Serventi, L. (2023). Carbohydrates for Fibres. In L. Serventi (Ed.) Sustainable Food Innovation. (pp. 29 - 43). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
[Chapter]Authored by: Mehta, A.Contributed to by: Mehta, A.
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Conference

Mehta, A., Giezenaar, C., Orr, R., Godfrey, J., Foster, M., & Hort, J. (2026, February). Exploring the association of personal factors with affective responses to plant-based meat alternatives with consideration of their perceived similarity to meat. Presented at NZOZ 2026 Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium. Melbourne, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mehta, A.
Mehta, A., Serventi, L., Kumar, L., & Torrico, D. (2025, February). From First Glance to Purchase: The role of packaging and visual cues in consumer decision making. Presented at 19th NZOZ Sensory Symposium
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mehta, A.
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Mehta, A., Serventi, L., & Torrico, DD. (2022, July). Food Choices influenced by expectations and emotions: A pilot study to understand relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic factors.. Presented at NZIFST
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mehta, A.
Mehta, A., & Torrico, DD. (2021). Effect of Packaging Texture and Font Colour on Product Perception: A Qualitative Study.. Poster session presented at the meeting of New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST): ‘Food – With Care/Kai – me te whakaaro nui. Palmerston North, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Mehta, A.
Mehta, A., Sharma, C., Harrison, R., & Torrico, DD. (2021, February). Self-reported Emotions and Facial Expressions on Consumer Acceptability: A Preliminary Analysis using Energy Drinks. Presented at 15th NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium 2021: Adapting to Change. Virtual Event (hosted by New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology andMassey University, Palmerston North).
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mehta, A.

Consultancy and Languages

Languages

  • English
    Last used: 2024
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent
  • Hindi
    Last used: 2024
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent
  • Punjabi
    Last used: 2024
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent

Media and Links

Media

  • 10 Jun 2024 - Online
    Food purchasing decisions: Our senses tell the sto