Food Technology

Food technology is a branch of science in which food science is applied in the manufacturing and preservation of food products. It is the application of science and technology to the treatment, processing, preservation and distribution of food. The term 'Food Technology' has a wide meaning, it deals with developing new methods and systems for keeping food products safe, resistant to the threat of natural problems like bacteria. Food Technology in simpler terms is the application of food science in manufacturing safe, wholesome and nutritious food products. Due to the fact that food is the basic need of every human being, food technology is directly associated with the benefit of man kind. This field is so old, that research has been going on for decades, on record from the time that Louis Pasteur developed the process of Pasteurization- the process of heating milk and milk products to prevent food spoilage and destroy disease producing organisms.

India being one of the largest producer of consumable foods stuffs, need for processing is on the increase, consequently new technology in food processing and preservation is the need of the hour. The health and welfare of people everywhere depend not only on good agricultural yields but also on the reliable storage, successful processing and safe handling of all types of food. Food processing industry is one of the most technology-oriented industries which covers a range of food products. These include basic or primary foods, such as wheat and rice products, sugar, oil and pulses etc and the processes for converting them into edible form. The research and development in food technology has resulted in the production of safe and nutritious food. Food processing industry is comparatively a vast field which comprises of various processes such as quality management, primary and secondary processing, preservation, packaging and labeling of various products such as confectionery products, dairy products, fish products, meat & poultry products, fruit & vegetable products; food grains etc.

Now a days there is an ever increasing demand for packaged, processed and ready to eat foods. This requires continuous research and innovation of methods to preserve food stuff for long periods without loosing its nutritious content. Food technologists are involved in a wide variety of activities associated with providing nutritious food. They study the chemical, physical and microbiological makeup of the food. The food is processed, preserved, packaged and stored according to the specifications by industries and the government. Training in Food technology gives adequate knowledge regarding the quality analyzes of raw materials, packaging standards and methodology, health and hygiene parameters, processing techniques, storage and food value, methodologies for extracting useful byproducts from industrial and domestic waste. Thus the future of the food industries, on a global scale, is in the hands of Food technologists.

Eligibility & Course Areas

Educational: 

The general criteria for admission to undergraduate food technology courses is twelve years of schooling in science related subjects. A post graduate course will require the student to complete his graduation in Food technology or other related fields. The courses cover the various aspects like food science, food biotechnology, food analysis, microbiology, food preservation techniques, genetics and food packaging, marketing and advertising, food logistics management, operations management etc.

Personnel Attributes:

A food technologist should have a scientific bend of mind, power of observation & concentration, interest in scientific and technological development and an interest in health and nutrition. Other useful traits required for aspiring food technologists include a sense of responsibility, ability to work well on their own as well as a part of a team, effective communication skills and a discerning approach to food items. A genuine interest in science, high standards of cleanliness, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation are other requisites for this job. A high level of accuracy is also very essential to be a good food technologist.

Job Prospects & Career Options

As we live in a world of packaged foods and fast foods that has taken the first seat in the priority list of consumers, prospects in food technology industry is growing fast in India as well as abroad. Food being an essential item for survival, Food Technology has a wide scope in different government and private sectors dealing with food products. One can get jobs in food processing industries, research laboratories, hotels, soft drink factories, rice mills, hospitality industry, packaging industries, manufacturing industries and distilleries. Those with masters and Ph.D degree can work as lecturers in colleges/universities. 

Food processing companies need food technology personnel to work for them in different sections like Production, Quality Assurance, R&D (Research and Development) etc. You can work as a Product Development Manager to devise food products according to the needs of the consumers and effectively put the products in service in an innovative way. You can work as a Sensory scientist or Quality controller to monitor organic properties like aroma, flavour, quality, hygiene and more. Food technologists work in research laboratories or R&D sectors to develop new products, test current ones, and control the overall food quality.

There are private as well as public sectors which provide lucrative job opportunities to Food technologists. In the public sector one can find jobs companies like The Food Corporation of India which handles the purchase, storage, transport and distribution of food grains and other food items, Modern Food Corporation which markets bread, fruit juices, edible oils, soft drink concentrates, North-Eastern Agricultural Marketing Corporation which markets and process fruits and vegetables etc. Major job providers in private sector include Amul, Cadbury, Britannia, Metro Diary, Hindustan Lever, Kellogs, Nestle and such others. The food firms in foreign countries like the United States as well as Australia give special preferences to Indian candidates.

There are many lucrative positions open to food technologists like Quality Assurance Manager, Laboratory Supervisor, Production Manager and food packaging manager.

Production Managers/Supervisors: They are responsible for the entire the processes in the manufacturing of a product, right from the purchase of raw materials to the production of the final product.

Quality Assurance Managers/Supervisors: They are responsible for ensuring the quality of food throughout the whole production process. This includes the quality of raw materials, equipment, finished goods, packaging, processing and storage procedures.

Laboratory Supervisors/Technicians: They carry out or supervise quality tests, such as microbiological and chemical analyses, before any product is released.

Food Packaging Managers/Technologists: They are responsible for the research and development of new food packaging systems and filling equipment.

Research Scientists: They are responsible for the continuing research and development programmes within the industry. Research scientists are employed in a wide variety of projects with Government, Food Research Institutes and Food companies.

Product Development Managers/Technologists: They are responsible for the improvement of the existing food products as well as for the development of new products.

Lecturers and Advisers: They work in a range of posts in the Government sector and in Universities, as college lecturers or in advisory and inspection jobs.