Food Technologist - How to become a Food Technologist

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A food technologist's role is critical in ensuring that food producers provide safe and high-quality food for people to consume. Specialists in this field research the composition of food in order to design new goods and supervise their manufacture.

Food technology professionals have several career options. They may work in product development for food production suppliers, food equipment manufacturers, or food firms. Food technology is a viable career option for those who appreciate science, have excellent research and analytical abilities, and are interested in health and nutrition.

 

Who is a Food Technologist?

Food Technologists (also known as Food Scientists) create new food items, enhance current ones, and contribute to the development of standards for how food is manufactured, packaged, and sold. Food technologists operate in a wide range of industries, including meat, fish, dairy, confectionery, snack foods, and drinks.

A food technologist is a person who studies food in order to better understand and enhance agriculture, food processing, food production, food storage, and food transportation. These specialists use scientific concepts to examine the physical, biological, and chemical components of food items in order to ensure food quality.

 

Food Technologist Eligibility

  • Candidates must have passed their 10+2 examinations in any relevant stream from a recognized Board.
  • Candidates must have completed Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology as required subjects at the Intermediate level.

 

How to become a Food Technologist?

Being a Food Technologist is one of the most rewarding careers a person can have. A food scientist maintains track of all product procurements and samples, as well as the safety precautions and quality of the product.

Some of the important stages to becoming a Food Technologist after 10+2 are as follows:

STEP 1- Short-term / Diploma Courses

Short courses teach you certain skills. Several short courses have no prerequisites, making them ideal for beginners. They can assist you in updating your skill set or preparing for a career move.

STEP 2- Undergraduate Degree

After finishing your 10+2 qualification, you can apply for your first university degree, such as a bachelor's degree. They give extensive skill and professional training over a number of years.

STEP 3- Postgraduate Degree

  • Postgraduate degrees, such as graduate diplomas and master's degrees, can offer you additional skills that can help you grow or transfer careers.
  • An appropriate bachelor's degree is normally required for admission to a postgraduate degree.
  • After finishing a Bachelor's degree, a student must sit for numerous entrance exams in order to get admission to universities that offer PG programs in the subject of food technology.

STEP 4- Doctorate Level Course

Individuals who wish to work in high-level research roles, such as those at a government laboratory or a university, may choose to get a doctorate. This degree can take between three and four years to complete. This degree requires extensive study, and you may be able to publish your findings in scholarly journals.

 

Skills Required to be a Food Technologist

Students seeking a food technology education must learn the abilities necessary for the industry.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • The intense attention to detail, especially when it comes to food hygiene and safety.
  • Outstanding analytical and numerical skills.
  • Good teamwork skills.
  • The capacity to operate alone.

 

Courses to Pursue a Career as a Food Technologist

Individuals interested in working in food technology and contributing to the growth of the sector should enroll in a food technology course at a reputed college or institute. In India, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate food technology courses are provided.

Polytechnic Diploma Courses (1-3 Years)

  • Certificate in Food Science and Technology
  • Food Analysis and Quality Assurance Diploma Program

UG-Level Courses (3-4 Years)

PG-Level Courses (2 Years)

 

Food Technologist Career Scope

Food technologists are constantly in high demand in both the private and public sectors to ensure the quality of food products. In order to ensure individual cleanliness, the government assigns numerous officials to examine product amount and quality. Government agencies or persons are hired by government entities to monitor the quality of food goods.

Food technologists are constantly in high demand in both the private and public sectors to ensure the quality of food products. In order to ensure individual cleanliness, the government assigns numerous officials to examine product amount and quality. Government agencies or persons are hired by government entities to monitor the quality of food goods.

Employment Sector/Industry for Food Technologists

Food technologists can find work in a variety of fields, including:

  • Food Marketing
  • Food Laboratories
  • Food Business Management
  • Food Safety Manufacturing Units
  • Food and Beverage Departments
  • Food Processing and Production Organizations
  • Processing and Distribution Units
  • Quality Assurance Units
  • Research Units
  • Storage Units

 

Food Technologist Job Opportunities

Those who study Food Technology might find a variety of jobs relevant to the degree program. Food Technologist job descriptions may be further classified based on the tasks and responsibilities. The following are some job descriptions for food technologists:

Food Packaging Manager

A food packaging manager is a professional who watches, studies, and analyzes packaging processes in order to develop and apply significant scientific procedures. Hence, if you want to become a food packaging manager, the food packaging course is a must.

Food Quality Control Manager

A quality assurance manager in the food safety industry is in charge of policy, strategy, and testing methods in order to achieve regulatory authority compliance for the company's product. They also help to create quality standards and guarantee that output meets those criteria.

Nutritional Therapist

A Nutritional Therapist is educated to examine health-related symptoms and evaluate if they are caused or exacerbated by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Symptoms might range from dry skin or a rash to exhaustion, sleeplessness, stomach discomfort, and much more.

Regulatory Affairs Officer

Regulatory affairs officers serve as a liaison between businesses and regulatory bodies, ensuring that products are made and sold in accordance with applicable laws. The occupation allows for worldwide travel and employment.

Product/Process Development Scientist

Process Development Scientists (process chemists) investigate and create new methods of manufacturing products, as well as monitor the quality and efficiency of existing processes and products.

Brewer Manager

The Brewer Manager is in charge of the overall coordination and planning of the brewing process. A Brewer Manager mixes and occasionally brews to create a finished product.

Technical Brewer

Technical brewers oversee the whole beer manufacturing and packaging process.

Food Blogger/Vlogger

To prepare something unusual or discover well-known street food, we would often browse and find food vloggers on all social media platforms to assist us in trying something new. Food Vlogging is all about making films of food to demonstrate culinary abilities.

Chefs

A chef is someone who has been taught to comprehend tastes and culinary processes, make dishes from scratch using fresh ingredients, and have a high level of responsibility in the kitchen.

 

Salary Prospects for a Food Technologist

  • The remuneration of a food technologist is determined by the duties they undertake. A food technologist's remuneration is also determined by the organization with which they work.
  • A career in Food Technology might start with an average monthly income of INR 25,000 to INR 30,000. A candidate with experience can earn INR 50,000 to INR 80,000 per month.
  • A Food Technologist's pay might be competitive in the early stages because the remuneration is mostly determined by the candidate's performance. The average pay ranges from INR 3 to 4.50 LPA.

 

Food Technologist- Top Recruiters

  • Amul
  • Britannia
  • Dabur
  • Haldirams
  • ITC Limited
  • Kwality Wall's
  • Mother Dairy
  • Nestle
  • Vadilal