Career Guide for Food technology and Processing Studies

Food technology is the application of science to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe, nutritious, and wholesome food. As it deals with one of the three basic essentials of life (food, clothing and shelter) the importance of food technology in keeping us healthy can never be overlooked . The prospect of supplying best quality of food to one of the largest and diversified population has created vast career opportunities for the best food technologists. Also, the fast paced life style has accounted for the growing demand for packed and processed food and on the other hand, it has made consumers more quality and nutrition conscious. All these factors pose a very encouraging picture on the future of Food Processing Industry in India.

Courses & Eligibility:

Below are the list of Food Technology courses :

• B.Sc. with Food Technology
• B.Sc. with Food Science
• B.Sc. with Food and Nutrition
• B.Sc. with Food Preservation
• B.Sc Tech (after B.Sc.)
• Food Science Preservation/Management and Food Sc. Technology
• Diploma Course Food Analysis and Quality Assurance/Food Science Technology
• M.Sc. Food Technology
• M.Sc.(Food Science)
• M.Sc. on Food and Fermentation Technology and Food Sc. Tech.

Students who had chosen the science stream at 10+2 level can initially take up the Under Graduate courses . For a Post graduate course one has to complete his graduation in Food technology or other related fields. The courses cover food biotechnology, food science, food analysis, microbiology, genetics and food packaging, preservation techniques, logistics management etc.

Career Prospects:

A fresh graduate can get easily absorbed by major companies like the Metro Diary, Hindustan Lever, Kellogg, Amul, Cadbury, Britannia and many more food processing industries situated abroad. Plethora of opportunities are awaiting food technologists, mainly in institutions like hotels, food industries, quality control, hospitals, packaging industries, distilleries, soft drink factories and rice mills etc. With the food processing companies dabbled in R&D of the highest quality of food products, they constantly require the services of skilful food technologists. One can also work in state and central government food processing units as Research Scientists, Quality Assurance Managers/Supervisors, Production Managers/Supervisors, Product Development Managers/Technologists etc.

Remuneration:

The salaries of a food technologist vary according to the post and the company in which he/she is working. A job in food processing companies, food research laboratories, hotels, restaurants and catering can get you a starting salary of Rs. 10000 and can get better with experience.