Careers in Food Technology: Food Technology is a branch of food science. It is based on the practical application of the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology, biotechnology, engineering etc. Manufacturing, processing, quality control, storage/ preservation, canning and packaging of food products including fruits, meats, cooked foods, sea foods, juices, beverages, tea, coffee, vegetables, cereals, eggs, spices, and research are covered under the study of Food Technology.
Careers in Food Technology
Careers in Food Technology Personal attributes
Intelligence, good observation, scientific bent of mind with interest in and passion for developments being taken place in the realm of science and technology, good communication skills, responsible attitude, team spirit are some of the personal attributes for becoming a successful food technologist.
Careers in Food Technology How to enter?
After passing 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) you can pursue 3-year full time B.Sc. in Food Technology. Those who have passed B.Tech. in Food Technology can seek admission in M.Tech. in Food Tech, and those who pass B.Sc in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry or B.Sc. in Food Technology can pursue 2-year M.Sc. in Food Technology. Ph.D. programme is available to those with a M.Sc. degree in Food Technology.
If you are a graduate in home science, nutrition, dietetics and hotel management you are also eligible for higher studies in food technology.
Short-telm courses: If you have studied physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology at the 10+2 level, you can go for a short term certificate and diploma course in food technology.
Careers in Food Technology Job profile of a Food Technologist
Food technologists develop new and improve existing food products and set standards for producing, packaging and marketing food. A food technologists also check raw materials and maintain clean and hygienic conditions and quality of the food.
Careers in Food Technology Employment prospects
With the changes in our lifestyle, the craze and demand for packaged and processed food has grown manifold. There is an incessant need for food with as minimum of chemicals and preservatives as possible and yet it can be used over longer period of time. That is the reason for the need and demand for more food technologists.
Career opportunities in this field exist as technologists, chemists, biotechnologists, technicians, engineers, etc. In the field of food processing, technologists are appointed as Sugar Technologists, Bakery Technologists, Alcohol Technologists, Fruit Technologists, Dairy Technologists, Oil Technologists, etc. both in the public and private sectors.
Engineers
Those who have an engineering degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical, industrial, agricultural civil engineering are eligible for the posts of engineers in the food processing industry. Basically they are concerned with the production and they plan, design, improve and maintain the processing systems.
Technicians
Technicians are required in the food processing laboratories, research and development departments of food processing industries to assist the engineers (for development of equipment and models by making sketches) and scientists. They are designated as Laboratory Technicians, Research Assistants, Junior engineers etc.
Careers in Food Technology Managers
In order to plan, organise, direct and control the activities and functions, managers are appointed in the main departments of any food processing industry as Manager (Administration & Accounts), Manager (Production), Manager (Engineering & Maintenance), Manager (Sales) and (Quality Control).
Careers in Food Technology Scientists
Scientists carry out research to develop new processes and products which are in accordance with the changing eating habits, cost factors and changing psyche of the consumers.
Supervisors/Foremen
They are required to be in-charge of the various units in the processing units of the food industry. They have to supervise and guide the workers and ensure proper maintenance and functioning of equipment, regulation of temperature etc.
Self-employment opportunities
Food processing covers anything from a small holdings plant to a large factory. Self-employment opportunities in the food processing industry are: by producing jams, pickles, murabbas, papads, jellies, agency for selling dairy, bakery, and poultry products. Today a whole new generation of food products are flooding the market.
Where they work
Food technologists work in food industries, hotels, hospitals, quality control, packaging, distilleries, rice mills, industries, soft drink factories, etc
Careers in Food Technology Remuneration
At the entry level an B.Sc. graduate gets about Rs.3- 4 lakhs per annum. After doing MSc. there is increase in the pay. A Senior Executive Quality Checker earns Rs. 5 lakhs p.a. and an Assistant Manager is paid between Rs.6 to 7 lacs p.a. On being appointed as a Manager (Quality), salary to the tune of Rs.9-10 lacs p.a. is paid.
Some of the prominent Universities/Institutes offering courses in Food Technology are:
AMITY UNIVERSITY
Admission Office: Block – J2, Gate No: 3,
Campus: Sector-125, Noida – 201313 (UP)
Ph.: 0120-4392000,© +91 8448396303
Email:[email protected],
www.amity.edu
Other Campuses: Lucknow, Jaipur, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Greater Noida, Raipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ranchi, Patna, offers Full-time B.Tech (Food Technology): Eligibility: Min. 60% in class X & XII with min. 60% in PCM/PCB for Non-sponsored & 55% for Sponsored category.
- Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530003 (www.andhrauniversity.info)
- Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (www.cftri.com) Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (www.kanpunmiversity.org)
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad (www.bamu.net) Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra (www.dbrau.ac.in)
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700073 (www.caluniv.ac.in)
- University of Delhi, (www.du.ac.in)
- GB Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 263145, Uttarakhand (www.gbpuat.ac.in) Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (www.gndu.ac.in)
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032 (www.j adavpur.edu)
- Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya Satna 485331 (M.P.) Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686002 (www.mguniversity.edu)
- Manipur University, Imphal (www.manipuruniv.ac.in)
- Osmania University, Hyderabad (www.osmania.ac.in)
- I. K. Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar (www.ptu.ac.in)
- Punjabi University, Patiala (www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in)
- SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, (www.sndt.ac.in)
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