Taste success with a career in food technology

By Richha Bhatnagar

Be it eating or cooking, if you are passionate about food and love science, then consider a career as a food technologist or food scientist.

Food science and technology is a vast domain which consists of packaged and fresh food. Given today's fast paced lifestyle, scarcity of time has led to the demand for packaged or ready-to-eat food products. One of the largest economic activities in the world is the production and distribution of food. It is also expected that the Indian food industry will grow by $320 billion by the financial year 2020. With increased convenience, taste, nutrition, and variety, the concept of processed food is seeing a lot of innovation and change.

Food technology is a science which combines nutrition, chemistry, engineering, and microbiology to manufacture foods that last longer. Food technology deals with the processing and preserving of foods. The study of food technology involves developing new methods and systems for prolonging the freshness of food products, protecting them from bacteria and other micro-organisms.

A food technologist is also known as the food scientist who works in the food processing industry and helps in developing healthy, high nutrition, and convenient food products. With increasing health consciousness, people are looking for food which is healthy and contains less fat. Understanding the need of the industry and the prospects it offers, one can expect to build a successful career in this field.

Food technologists research and check the production of food and develop new and enhanced ways to create and improve the quality of these foods. Individuals educated in the field of nutrition, biology, and chemistry can use their expert knowledge in enhancing the methods of canning, freezing, packaging, storage and distribution of food.

Read more: Career in Food Production & Catering

 As a food technologist, you need to:

• Provide correct information for labeling of food
• Research ways to improve the freshness of food
• Find quick and cheap ways of producing food
• Test the quality of food
• Understand and ensure the safety of food

Personality traits for a food technologist

A food technologist must possess:

• Intelligence
• Knack for scientific thinking
• Inclination to pursue research
• Good observation power
• Awareness about scientific and technological developments
• Interest in health and nutrition
• Sense of responsibility
• Problem solving ability

Eligibility criteria:

One can opt for a degree or diploma program. After completing 10+2, one can pursue a diploma course in food technology.

Aspirants who have completed their B.Sc degree in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry, or a B.Tech in food technology can plan to pursue M.Sc in food technology.

Specializations in Food Science and Technology

One can specialize in the below mentioned fields:

• Cereals
• Dairy
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Bakery and confectionary items
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat/fish
• Oil and oil seed processing

Career prospects and job opportunities:

Food technology is a vast industry and so are the career opportunities. Food technologists can have a bright career in hotels, quality control departments, food industries, packaging industries, hospitals, distilleries, soft drink factories and rice mills, etc. Food technologists can also work in research laboratories or in the production industry to develop new products, test current ones and control the quality of food.

Working in a manufacturing industry can also give you fruitful results as this sector needs people from grass-root level to the higher level. Food technologists can have bright career prospects in public as well as private sector.

 

Depending on the qualification and experience, one can start as:

• Product developer
• Production supervisor
• Production executive
• Quality controller
• Production manager
• Research director

Remuneration:

One could get ample job opportunities in the country. The food and technology science industry offers high salaries and benefits. A beginner in the industry can earn a salary ranging between Rs 15,000 - Rs 20,000 per month whereas those with relevant work experience in the industry can earn between Rs 30,000 - 40,000 per month. Senior management professionals can expect much high salaries.

Major food processing companies where one can apply include:

• Cadbury India Ltd
• Godrej Industries Ltd
• Agro Tech Foods
• PepsiCo India Holding
• MTR Foods Ltd
• Dabur India Ltd
• Perfetti India Ltd
• Amul
• Parle Products Pvt. Ltd
• ITC Limited
• Britannia Industries Ltd
• Nestle India Pvt. Ltd
• Coca-Cola India

Colleges that offer courses in food technology or food & nutrition:

• Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies (IIBMS) - Bangalore
• Premlila Vithaldas Polytechnic (S.N.D.T Women's University)
• John Bauer College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
• Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition - Kolkata
• Mumbai College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology