Is a Career in Food Technology Right for You?

Food technology can be defined as the science that combines the techniques and methods involved in the preservation, processing, and manufacturing of food materials.

This is an engineering specialty and is a branch of food science, hotel management, and home science.

What does a Food Technologist do?

A food technologist devises ways and methods for manufacturing and preserving food maintaining food safety and hygiene, and also looks for ways to improve food texture, color, flavor and makes food more resistant to pathogens and toxins.

What will be your organizational goals?

From packaging to labeling, to preservation and processing of food, to quality management and research for food products will be your organizational goals when you work for a food processing organization. Moreover, you will also be involved in research and development for dairy products, grains, confectionery, fish and meat, and poultry, as well as fruit and vegetable products.

What fields do you need expertise in?

You need to be well-versed in chemistry, biology, engineering, nutrition, and microbiology to ensure the safety, palatability, and edibility of the food, especially when you deal with seasonal food.

Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash/Copyright 2021

What courses do you need to pursue?

Previously, food technology was used for the mere preservation and flavor enhancement of food, but now, there are new advancements that have made it possible to decaffeinate beverages and also make ready-to-eat food.

You can pursue the following courses to become a food technologist:

Undergraduate Courses:

  • Diploma Course in Food Analysis and Quality Assurance
  • Diploma in Food Science Technology
  • Diploma in Food Science, Preservation and Management
  • UG degree courses leading to the B.Sc and B.Tech with the duration of 4 years after 10+2 examination
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Food Technology
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Food Science
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Food and Nutrition
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Food Preservation
  • Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Food Engineering

Postgraduate courses:

  • Master of Science (M.Sc) in Food Science
  • Master of Science (M.Sc) in Food Technology
  • Master of Science (M.Sc) in Food and Fermentation Technology and Food Science
  • Master of Science (M.Sc) in Nutrition and Food
  • Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Food Technology