Intro to Food Science Careers
Dec 23, 2015
Objectives
• Make students aware of the different Areas within the food science industry and the jobs associated with them.
Product Development
• Focus on creating new or improved food products
• Can work with nutritionists to help find ways in maintaining nutrients in foods
• Product development introduces on average 20,000 new or improved food products each year – 10% are totally new
concepts
Product Development
• Can also involves looking for foods that are healthier to eat– Foods with less fat and
sugar
• Jobs included – Food technicians– Food Scientists – Food Technologists– Dietitians – Nutritionists
Quality Assurance
• Concerned with the quality of food
• Keeping food wholesome until consumption
• Jobs Involved – Packers – Transportation
Production
• Involves processing and preserving • Locations include canneries and
frozen food plants• Most factory work includes
– Sorting – Grading – Fabricating – Packaging – Sanitation – Shipping
• Jobs include – Line worker – Production manager– Plant supervisor
Sales and Service
• Selling food products or materials to use to produce products – Restaurants – Catering Services
• Jobs include – Advertising – Restaurant trainer– Salesman
Regulation and compliance
• Enforcing regulations to protect the interests of costumers
• Usually Government jobs • Inspect
– Processing plants– Handling Facilities– Food Samples
• Most work for USDA, FDA, EPA
Food Service
• Preparing and Serving food
• Jobs include – Restaurant chefs – Fast food
• There are millions of jobs in this area and are not limited to Fast food cooks.
Food Scientist
• A person who is trained in the theory of food systems – Chemistry – Physics – Biology
• Interests in preserving the integrity of the food system
Education Requirements
• Usually must obtain advanced degrees from college – Masters or PhD– Major is commonly in
food science but can branch out to specialty areas • Meet Science • Brewing Science • Food Safety
Skills Needed
• Research Skills – Systematically asking
questions and seeking answers
• Understanding of the scientific method – Identify problem – Collect Data– Hypothesis – Experiment – Conclusion
Nature of Work
• Often involved with food product development – Imitation Crab
• Over 20,000 new food products each year are created– Do they all reach the
supermarket?– Who Decides this
• The Consumer!
• Also involved in food safety – The security of food is a
thriving industry due to bioterrorism threats
Location of Work
• Universities – Teachers
• Food Industries – Product Developers
• Government Agencies – Food Safety
Food Technologist
• Similar of food scientists – Concentrated on short-
term problem solving of food issues
• Machine operation • Developing methods of
production
Education
• College Degree In Food Science – Bachelor at the least – Masters is encouraged
• Sometimes can major in biology or chemistry
• Can specialize in different disciplines – Dairy – Meat
• Engineering background is encouraged in some areas
Nature of Work
• Concerned with mass production of food and the problems involved– Thousands of pounds of
product per hour– Problems with production
can cost business large sums of money
• Works with food scientist closely when new products are made– Why?
Nature of Work
• Also Focused of quality Assurance – The whole process is
monitored for start to finish that meats all health and safety guidelines