A Career In Food Technology: Ensuring Safety And Innovation In Food For All

When it comes to food, India has unlimited options. Food, for the Indians, is an emotion. It is a combination of several food items and flavours. These varied combinations make Indian food one of the best in the world. However, to study the food, to create new flavours and combinations, to ensure the safety of multiple food combinations and the overall hygiene, there are experts who act as the masterminds. They are recognised as food technologists.  

This might be the first time you will be reading this term and wondering what it means. Food Technology is a science that focuses on the techniques and processes of food production, preservation, quality management and transformation of raw ingredients into various forms of food. It undertakes to understand the blend of physical, chemical or microbiological techniques and principles involved in the processing and preserving of the food substances. 

Why do we need a career in Food Technology?

Food technology as a career field is extremely important for the food industry. 

• With the countless number of restaurants, cafes, food chains and eateries across the world, the application of food science becomes crucial. It helps in manufacturing safe and nutritious food products with the help of food technologists.

• The study of food technology enables experts to build new processes and techniques to keep food products safe and resistant to bacteria and other micro-organisms.

• It helps develop newer ways to preserve food for long periods without losing its nutritional value, enhance the flavour and keep the toxins in the food product to the lowest.

• The study of food technology also teaches to add extra nutrients to the food while processing it.
  
• Food technology is needed now more than ever, especially because of the increase in awareness about food safety and quality among people.

This career field is gradually gaining popularity. If you wish to consider this as your career option, here are some of the courses offered under the umbrella of Food Technology: 

Polytechnic Diploma Course (1 to 3 years)

Diploma Course in Food Analysis and Quality Assurance
Diploma in Food Science Technology
Diploma in Food Science, Preservation and Management

UG Degree Courses (3 to 4 years)

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

PG Degree Courses (2 years) 

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

You can also apply for certification courses in Food Technology online.  

On completion of your course, you can choose to become:

1. Food Technologist
2. Quality Manager
3. Nutritional Therapist
4. Regulatory Affairs Officer
5. Product/Process Development Scientist
6. Technical Brewer
7. Chefs
8. Research Scientist
9. Biochemist
10. Home Economist

Indian Colleges Offering Food Technology Courses:

1. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
2. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
3. Anna University
4. National Institute of Technology Rourkela
5. Jadavpur University
6. Amity University
7. Lovely Professional University – LPU
8. Birla Institute of Technology
9. MIT College of Food Technology, MIT ADT University
10. GITAM Institute of Technology

Some Foreign Universities/Colleges Offering Food Technology Courses:

1. University of Glasgow
2. University of Liverpool
3. Arizona State University
4. The University of Adelaide
5. University of South Australia
6. Cardiff Metropolitan University
7. Bath Spa University
8. Washington State University
9. Victoria State University
10. Syracuse University