Food Technology Jobs

Concerned with food production processes and mechanisms, the field of Food Technology is a specialised discipline of Food Science. It deals with ensuring safe and quality food products manufactured in a nutritious and hygienic environment. Moreover, Food Technology scientists and experts work on creating efficient methods and techniques to preserve the purity and nutrients of different food products. Through this blog, we will delve deeper into this lucrative field and the various Food Technology jobs and programs you can choose from.

Recommended Read: Biotechnology Courses

Register here for a FREE Career Counselling Session!

Major Food Technology Jobs

Depending upon the career path you wish to follow, you can pick from popular career choices such as a Food Technologist or venture into niche jobs such as Food Stylists. Here is a list of most popular Food Technology jobs in India:

• Food Technologist
• Lab Technician
• Nutritional Therapist
• Quality Manager
• Regulatory Officer
• Toxicologist
• Production Manager
• Research Assistant
• Lecturer/Professor
• Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Chef

Food Technologist

As a Food Technologist, you will be planning the manufacturing, packaging and preservation processes of different food products. You will be involved in research and modification of eatables along with innovating technologies for producing quality food products. Further, you will be developing recipes and product ideas for nutritious products as well as examining food samples and supervising the use of additives in food production.

Lab Technician

Restricted to the research and development aspect of food technological research, a Food Lab Technician’s job is to analyse the chemical components of existing products and assisting in the creation of new products. Lab technicians also ensure safety regulations and carry out food auditing.

Nutritional Therapist

Much like a nutritionist or a dietician, this job is tilted towards suggesting food-related recommendations based on illnesses and diseases. As a Nutritional Therapist, you will be designing different dietary plans and providing nutritional guidance for the treatment of several health problems.

Related Read: Dietetics and Nutrition Courses

Quality Manager

Counted amongst the most sought-after Food Technology jobs, the job of a Quality Manager is to oversee whether the quality of the food produced adheres to the regulatory food standards. Further, they are also in charge of making sure that the product is as per the company policies and standards prescribed.

Regulatory Officer

Several food regulatory organisations are in charge of ensuring that the food products remain safe from harmful materials and toxins. In India, this is carried out by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Timely and frequent testing and analysis of the food manufacturing processes form an integral part of the responsibilities of a Regulatory Officer.

Food Technology Govt. Jobs

There are numerous opportunities of Food Technology graduates in the public sector. The major employment areas for Food Technologist govt. jobs are:

• Food Corporation of India
• FSSAI
• Food Safety Officer in State Government
• NABARD
• Specialist Officer jobs in IBPS
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Agriculture Universities
• National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management
• Ministry of Food Processing Industries

The selection for these govt-sector Food Technology jobs is mainly conducted through a written test and personal interview by the specific institution along with assessing the academic records and credentials.

Salary and Scope of Food Technology Jobs in India

There is an immense scope of Food Technology in India with a wide range of promising opportunities available in the public as well as private sector. From processing to manufacturing and packaging, trained food technology professionals are need to do quality control and assessment at every step in such careers. Some of the major types of careers in Food Technology in India are:

• Food Production/Operations
• Quality Control
• Research and Development
• Supply Chain Management
• Logistics and Procurement
• Sales and Marketing
• Business Development

The average salary of a Food Technologist in India is ₹434664 as per Payscale. On an average, you can earn around 2.5 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs per annum with a degree in Food Technology.

Employment Areas

Catering to the needs of various aspects of food, healthcare and innovation industries, there is a wide range of Food Technology jobs available in multinational companies and policy and research organisations. Some of the industries where you can explore career prospects in this field include,

• Food Processing
• Packaging
• Regulatory Institutions like FDA etc
• Healthcare
• Agriculture 
• Restaurant and Catering
• Hospitals

List of Food Technology Courses

Before delving into a discussion on food technology jobs and industries, it is important to discuss a bit about Food Technology courses offered across the globe. A Food Technology course is also conventionally offered as a Science or Technology program, for example, a B. Sc, B.Tech or M.Tech degree. If you are looking for short-term programs in Food Technology, a plethora of diploma, postgraduate diploma or certificate programs are offered by several global institutes and universities around the world. Also, if you want to go into the field of research, you can also go for intensive PhD programs in Food Technology. An array of specialised courses are also offered in the areas of Food Quality Control, Food Processing Technology and Food Biotechnology. 

Here is a list of prominent Food Technology courses you can choose from:

• Diploma in Food and Nutrition 
• BSc in Food Technology
• B.Sc. in Food Science
• BTech Food Technology
• M.A. in Food Nutrition
• MSc Food Technology
• MSc in Food Science and Technology
• M.Sc. in Microbial and Food Technology
• PhD in Food Technology
• PhD in Food Engineering and Technology
• PhD in Food Biotechnology
• PhD in Agriculture and Food Security

Top Universities for Food Technology Courses

For the aforementioned popular Food Science and Technology, here are the major globally acclaimed colleges and universities you must consider:

• University of Surrey
• VHL University of Applied Sciences
• University of Pretoria
• University of Helsinki
• University of Algarve
• University De Burgos
• London Metropolitan University
• University of Wyoming
• Kaunas University of Technology
• Rey Juan Carlos University
• University of Padua

Skills Required

Along with the requisite and technical knowledge of Food Science and Technology, there are several other interpersonal and individual skills that you need to imbibe in order to pursue a career in this field. Here is a list of pivotal skills that are often required in a multitude of Food Technology jobs:

• Problem-solving Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Time-management Skills
• Team-working Skills
• Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills
• High Level of Creativity
• Data Interpretation
• Updated with Ongoing Trends and Developments
• Familiarised with Mathematical and Statistical Concepts
• Computer and IT skills

Thus, Food Technology is an emerging career field which demands individuals having a deep-embedded interest in Food Science combined with a passion for innovating new technologies. If you are looking to enter this growing field but don’t know where to start, you can take the help of the AI tool at Leverage Edu which will help you browse through various courses and universities based on your preferences and choosing the right combination that aligns with your interests in the field of Food Science.