Food Scientists and Technologists
Food scientists and technologists use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
If you are a bon vivant and eager to learn the science behind food, then you can think about being a food scientist or in a food science career. Food science draws from various disciplines such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, and biology in the strive to better understand the food processes and improve food products for the general public.
How to become a food scientist? With the right type of education and training, you can get into jobs directly related to this degree as a food technologist, naturopath, nutritional therapist, quality manager, regulatory affairs officer, scientific laboratory technician, technical brewer etc.
Food scientists' salary is commensurate with job responsibilities, experience and seniority level. and technologists find jobs in production/operation, new product and process development, marketing and sales, marketing analysis, business development, procurement and supply chain management.
To succeed as a food scientist, you need to display strong communication skills, critical-thinking skills, data-analysis skills, decision-making skills and the ability to solve complex problems. You must convey your knowledge of the tools and technology of the trade.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Ph.D. Food Science and Nutrition
- M.Sc. Food Processing Technology
- B.E. Food Technology
- B.Tech Food Engineering
- B.Sc. Food Science
Tasks
- Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
- Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
- Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
- Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
- Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
- Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
- Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
- Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
- Demonstrate products to clients.
- Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Progression Routes
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