Career opportunities in food
technology (food tech.)
Food is the
most essential part of our life, without food we cannot survive. Everyday we
need food and consume food differently. Food technology deals with blend of
chemical , physical or microbiological techniques and process for transforming
raw ingredients into food. Food technology is a
four (4) year program. The experts
behind the new ideas and flavors for variety of food products that we consume
today are known as food technologist . Maintaining the food quality and checking
its processing and manufacturing is the role of food technologists. Their responsibility
is to ensure that quality of healthy food. In India, there are different food technology courses available at
undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, diploma levels for the students seeking
a career in food technology. Some of India’s popular food technology courses
are B.Tech in Food technology, B.Sc Food Technology, M.Tech in Food Technology,
M.Sc Food Technology, etc.
As deep
as we go into the dimensions of food technology, we require professionals in
this field. And, this has led to the emergence of food technology courses.
There are a plethora of opportunities for students who wish to pursue a course
in food technology. Graduates or postgraduates in the course can seek jobs in
different domains such as restaurants, catering establishments, hospitals, food
processing companies, etc.
Eligibility
to become food technologist:
Student
and candidates should have passed 12th from a institution with PCBM ( physics, chemistry
, biology and mathematics ) as most important and major subject. Basic eligibility
of 45% marks in 12th or equivalent ( relaxation rules apply for different
categories and depend on college to college)
For admission in B.Tech and Diploma in food
technology , student need to have a passing certificate of 10+2 or equivalent from
a recognized institution.
For students
and candidates of M.Sc in food
technology, a bachelor degree certificate from recognized institution is a
mandatory document with a minimum 50%
aggregate.
All valid
scorecard of an entrance exam ( if applicable ) may be required.
Skills required
for food technology :
Let
us first understand the professional competencies required. A professional in
Food Technology ensures that all the products are produced keeping in mind the
safety and quality standards. Moreover, as a Food Technology expert, you are
required to be academically sound and highly skilled to develop manufacturing
processes and recipes of food and drink products. Below is a list of essential
skills for building a career in Food Technology:
- Interest
in Food Science
- Problem
Solving Ability
- Excellent
Organizational Skills
- Sound
Technical Knowledge
- Research
Skills
- Scientific
& analytical reasoning ability
- Interest
in Health and Nutrition
- Time
Management
- Awareness
of Consumer Market
Food Technology Courses
From B.Sc Food Technology to there are a plethora of
opportunities from UG to PG level to choose from. Not only restricted to degree
courses but there are various diploma and certification Food Technology courses
available. Some of them have been tabulated below:
Food
Technology Courses after 10th
- Diploma
in Food and Nutrition
- Certificate
in Food and Nutrition
- Graduate
Diploma in Food Science
- Graduate
Certificate in Food Science
Food Technology Courses
after 12th
- BSc food technology
- Food Science (B.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Science in Food Processing
Technology
- B.sc Food Science and Quality Control
- B.sc(Hons.) in Food Technology
- B.sc(Hons.) in Food Science and
Technology
- B.E. in Food Technology
- B.E. in Food Technology and Bio-Chemical
Engineering
- B. Tech Food Technology
- B.Tech. in Food Science
Masters Level Courses
- M.A. in Food Nutrition
- MSc food technology
- M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology
- M.Sc. in Microbial and Food Technology
- M.Tech. in Food Technology
- M.E. in Food Technology
- M.E. in Processing and Food Engineering
- MTech in Food Engineering and Technology
- M.Tech in Food Technology
- M.Tech in Food and Nutrition
- MTech in Food Biotechnology
- PG Diploma in Food Analysis and Quality
Control
Doctoral Level Courses
- Ph
D in Food Technology
- Ph
D in Food Engineering and Technology
- PhD
in Food Science and Technology
- PhD
in Food and Diary Technology
- Ph
D in Food Biotechnology
- PhD
in Agriculture and Food Security
Scope
of food technology in India:
Over the last decades, the world is witnessing great
progress in the food sector; therefore, the demand for Food Science and
Technology professionals has been increasing. With the growing new
technologies, this sector is growing as a big market in countries like
India. Using chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences, the
food technician becomes a need for the food market. Below, we have mentioned
the type of Food Science and Technology professionals:
1.
Research
Scientist: A research scientist
carries out various experiments using chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and
other sciences that lead to improved yield, flavor, nutrition, and general
acceptability of the packaged food.
2.
Food Inspector/ Quality
Controller: The main job of a
food inspector/ a quality controller is to ensure the quality of food produced
is maintained. A food inspector runs a variety of tests on both packaging and
the food and ensures that the food that the people consume is safe.
3.
Lab Technician: The lab technician is mainly responsible for
providing all technical support needed to enable the lab to function
effectively. They are bound to perform tasks like sampling, testing, measuring,
as well as analyzing results.
4.
Organic Chemist: Organic chemists recommend methods by which raw materials
are converted into processed food.
5.
Biochemist: The role of a biochemist is similar to the role of
an organic chemist. They suggest improvements in food quality, texture, flavor,
storage, etc.
6.
Food Engineer: Those who have completed B.Tech in Food Technology can
opt to become a Food Engineer. An engineer in the food industry is required to
plan, design, improve, and maintain the processing systems.
7.
Food Product Development
Director: A food product development
director helps in the preservation and packaging of food items.
8.
Managers and
Accountants: After pursuing a
degree in Food Technology, one can also become a manager or accountant in
various food production companies. They are mainly responsible for supervising
the processing work. Apart from this, a manager also manages the administration
and finances affair of food production.
9.
Home Economist: A home economist is an expert in nutrition and
dietetics. They also test the food and recipes as per the directions mentioned
on the containers.