Intro to Food Science

Careers

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

Location of Work

• Universities – Help food scientist conduct

experiments on new products and production

• Food Industries – Larges employer of

technologists – Production, development and

tech service

• Government Agencies – Food production products for

military and other branches of government