A food scientist uses chemistry, engineering, and microbiology to study how food deteriorates and is processed. By examining the food’s composition, they can determine its nutrient concentration.
They search for fresh food sources that are nutrient-dense and explore ways to improve the flavour, safety, and health of processed meals. Additionally, they decide how to distribute, prepare, preserve, and package the food in the best way.
Also, Inspecting safety compliance with government standards on quality, hygienic conditions, and waste management fall under the purview of food scientists.
A food scientist works for research universities, departments, and private companies such as food production facilities to do research on the facilities used for food production, storage, and transportation.
Types of a Food Scientist
Quality Control Technicians: The plant and quality controllers must inspect and test samples of raw materials and finished goods to make sure they adhere to all regulations established by a government agency.
Meat Scientists: They carry out research and study to discover fresh approaches to increase animal growth rates and enhance meat quality.
Technicians in animal health care: These professionals look out for the well-being of animals and make sure they are healthy. To put it another way, an animal health technician is comparable to a nurse in the human world.
Meat Inspectors: As the name implies, meat inspectors check beef, pig, seafood, poultry, and other types of meat and meat products.
Dairy Technologist: Using the principles of chemistry, physics, economics, bacteriology, and engineering in the production, preservation, and utilization of dairy products, a dairy technologist is in charge of creating new and more efficient techniques.
The processing of meat must adhere to accepted standards for quality assurance. Before being killed, livestock is also examined by meat inspectors to make sure it is not ill.
Bakery scientist: Bakery scientists conduct studies on bakery methods, such as what ingredients should be utilized and what procedures are involved, using chemical concepts.
Scientist: A scientist can work for a variety of companies and be employed by businesses of all sizes to work on research-related products and initiatives. Scientists are employed by universities to do research or to teach.
Agricultural Inspector: To ensure that the food received by consumers is safe for eating, the agriculture inspector looks at food processing operations such as reports of logging, fishing, and farming operations.
Farm manager: Farm managers are responsible for maintaining and managing a farm. On a crop farm, farm managers will be in charge of fertilizing, planting, watering, cultivating, and harvesting the crops.
What are the Skills Required to Become a Food Scientist?
Understanding of analytical techniques and tools. One should be knowledgeable about food chemistry and microbiology.
Skills such as effective communication, critical thought, observation, data analysis, decision-making, and mathematics. An advanced degree in food science or a closely connected field is strongly desired. Ph.D. holders are frequently hired for higher positions.
How to Become a Food Scientist Step-by-Step Guide?
If you are an aspiring food scientist then the first step that you’ll have to do is complete a 10+2 level of education in physics-chemistry- biology with 50 percent of marks. After successful completion of 10+2, you’ll be eligible to appear in the entrance examinations.
Entrance exams are conducted by a number of institutions and colleges to determine admission. Some of the popular entrance examinations are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, SRMJEEE, IISER-EE, ICAR AIEE, AMU EE, etc.
Students must apply for admission to a bachelor’s level program after completing a 10+2 in physics-chemistry-biology, physics-chemistry-maths, or physics-chemistry-biology-maths.
The following are a few of the bachelor’s degree programs students can choose from to further their efforts at becoming food scientists:
B.Sc. Agriculture, B.Sc. Biology, B.Sc. Chemistry, B.Sc. Botany, B.Sc. Horticulture, B.Sc. Soil Science, B.Sc. Dairy Science, B.Sc Life Science, B.Sc. Food Science, B.Tech. Agriculture Engineering and Technology, B.Tech. Dairy Technology, B.Tech. Food Technology.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, a candidate has a number of possibilities for pursuing a career in food science. The candidate can begin working in an entry-level position to gain experience and knowledge of the market.
For senior positions, a master’s degree is considered highly valuable. So, after the completion of a bachelor’s degree, you can choose to pursue a master’s degree. You’ll be eligible to start working in the industry after earning a master’s degree.
Popular master’s level programs
(i) M.Sc. Agriculture
(ii) M.Sc. Horticulture
(iii) M.Sc. Chemistry
(iv) M.Sc. Soil Science
(V) M.Sc. Plant Science
(vi) M.Sc. Food Science
(vii) M.Sc. Life Science
(viii) M.Sc. Dairy Science
(ix) M.Tech. Agriculture Engineering and Technology
(x) M.Tech Food Technology
(xi) M.Tech. Biotechnology
(xii) M.Tech Dairy Technology
Food Scientist Jobs and Salaries
After earning a master’s degree, starting salary may be in the range of Rs 40–60,000 a month, progressively rising to between Rs. 1–2 lakhs per month as one gains experience.
| Food inspector | |
| Average Salary | 40000 |
| Junior Level Salary | 30000 |
| Senior Level Salary | 200000 |
| Agriculture Electrical Technician | |
| Average Salary | 21000 |
| Junior Level Salary | 19000 |
| Senior Level Salary | 32000 |
| Food technologist | |
| Average Salary | 25000 |
| Junior Level Salary | 20000 |
| Senior Level Salary | 80000 |
What is the Scope of Food Scientists?
Compared to other occupations, a career as a food scientist offers fewer prospects. Fewer people are hired by government agencies.
There will undoubtedly always be a need for food scientists to come up with fresh ideas to boost the productivity of the food processing sector.
The market’s need for food scientists may rise as a result of population and educational growth. Food scientists can anticipate a 16% increase in employment in the food processing sector.
The world’s population is expanding quickly, raising concerns about diet, health, and food safety. To meet everyone’s needs, the output will need to be increased in both quality and quantity.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Chemistry, biology, and other sciences are used by food scientists and technologists to explore the fundamental components of food.
Ans: Earning top salaries with a strong growth rate is possible with a degree in food science.
Ans: A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as food science, chemistry, or microbiology, is the minimum requirement for those who want to pursue a career in this sector.