Food Technologists are qualified and skilled professionals who are in charge of testing the food quality along with other parameters such as determining the safety of the products that are used, checking the claimed quality if they are up to mark and check legalities associated with a food product. In simple words, Food Technologists are in charge of delivering quality food to their clients and customers who buy them and other products from any designated sellers or from other retailers. A Food Technologist does extensive research to make food items edible and nutritious. After completing Graduation / Post-Graduation in Food Technology a candidate can work in Hospitals, Food Processing Companies, Restaurants, Catering Services, FMCG.
Read More: Food Technologist Jobs
In order to become a Food Technologist, aspiring candidates can pursue various Food Technology Courses such as BTech Food Technology, BSc Food Technology etc, from some of the Top Food Technology Colleges such as IIT Kharagpur, NIT Rourkela, Parul University, MGU Kottayam, etc. The average course fees for Food Technology courses ranges from INR 40,000 to INR 2,00,000. Admission to these colleges is mostly based on Engineering Entrance Exams such as JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, GATE etc. Read More about: Food Technologist Jobs
After completing a course in Food Technology, candidates can become food bloggers, brewer manager, food quality control manager. Food Technologist and can be employed by some of the top FMGC companies such as Haldirams, Amul, Adani Wilmar, Mother Dairy, Dabur, ITC Limited, etc. at a starting salary of INR 25,00,000 to INR 30,00,000 per month. Read More: Food Technologist Salary
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Food Technologist: Quick Facts
- What does a Food Technologist do
- Steps to become Food Technologist
- Types of Food Technologist
- How to Become a Food Technologist in India
5.1 How to Become a Food Technologist After 12th
6.4 BTech Food Science and Technology
7.1 Australia
7.2 UK
7.3 USA
7.4 Canada
- Benefits of Career as a Food Technologist
- Skills Required for Food Technologist
- Salary of a Food Technologist
10.3 Experience Wise
How to Become a Food Technologist: Quick Facts
| Industry | Food Industry |
| Eligibility | UG or PG Degree in the field of Food Technology |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 25,000-INR 30,000 per month |
| Job Opportunity | Food Technologist, Quality Manager, Food Blogger, Food Packaging Manager |
What does a Food Technologist do
Food technologists are concerned with the physical, chemical and biological effects of all the foods that are used for processing. Students use various contents to study a food composition. Below given are some of the roles of Food Technologist.
- Food Technologists evaluate the process used in production of food and ensure that the safety standards of food are met as per the requirements of a company.
- They make new products, make packaging, and select existing products for upgradation on the basis of the information provided to them.
- They also discover new products, test new products for their contamination or additives that are harmful. Food technologists design the process and machinery for producing the recipes on a large scale.
- Food technologists maintain strict hygiene and ensure that safety standards are met. They identify and procure the raw materials from the suppliers.
- Food technologists identify and improve the recipes that are already into existence. Food technologists also monitor the usage of additives.
- They also test and examine the samples along with preparing reports based on which further research can be carried out.
Steps to Become a Food Technologist
Below given are some of the crucial steps that the candidates need to follow to become a Food Technologist.
- Step 1 – Get a detailed information about the job: Candidates should consider their talents and interests before deciding to pursue a career in food technology. A strong aptitude and sound knowledge for science and mathematics is necessary for jobs in this field, along with outstanding problem-solving, communication, and research skills. One should consider how that time period fits with a long-term objectives because it can take between three and nine years to become a food technologist, depending on a candidate’s schooling and professional choice.
- Step 2 – Complete the required educational degrees: In order to become a food technologist, candidates must complete their class 12 board exams with a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics along with an aggregate score of 55% of equivalent CGPA. Post which candidates must pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Food Technology Courses from a recognised university or college. Admissions to any undergraduate and postgraduate tood technology courses are done on the basis of various Engineering Entrance Exams.
- Step 3 – Create a portfolio/resume: Post completing the required degree candidates can submit applications for jobs of their interest. The resume should hold all of the relevant experience, education, and certifications in relation to food technology of the candidate before sending it out. One can also discuss about the required skill sets such as communication, and problem-solving abilities in their resume.
- Step 4 – Get the required certifications: Having a certification in food technology or safety may help aspiring candidates stand out from the rest, even though many firms hire applicants without further certificates. These certifications can also helps in staying updated of any developments in the field of food technology or revisions to governmental rules governing food production and safety. As a food technologist, one can obtain certifications such as Certified Food Scientists, Certified Food Quality Manager etc.
Types of Food Technologists
Below given are some of the types of Food Technologists professions that the candidate can opt for after completing their degree in the field of Food Technology.
- Food Technologist: A Food Technologist is a person who keeps track of food safety, quality of food products, and is involved in the manufacturing of food products. He/She also Keeps track of new inventions and quantities of different ingredients that need to be added in the food product. He/she is associated with all the legalities and safety measurements in the product. Food technologists are concerned with the physical, chemical and biological effects of all the foods that are used for processing. They make new products, make packaging, and select existing products for upgradation on the basis of the information provided to them. Food Technologists evaluate the process used in production of food and ensure that the safety standards of food are met as per the requirements of a company. The average salary for such professionals remains around INR 5 LPA.
- Food Quality Control Manager: A Food Quality Control Manager is a person who keeps track of all the ingredients being added to make the product and takes all the safety precautions to maintain the quality of the product. He also undertakes Policy Making, Sampling, testing of the final product. He/she measures the quality of the product at every step of its manufacturing. He/she works in his best interest to maintain the quality of the product. Food Quality Control Manager inspects the raw materials to ensure consistency, Maintains and troubleshoots all the machineries, Reports the irregularities to higher authorities and Effective and efficient testing protocol. The average salary of Food quality Control Manager remains around INR 5 LPA to INR 8 LPA.
- Brewer Manager: The Brewer Manager is responsible for coordination and planning of the entire brewing process. A Brewer Manager mixes and sometimes brews to make a final product. He sets out the right quantity and quality of the product. He works according to prescribed reading and agreements. He schedules and supervises various brewing units or works. A brewer manager also manages staff, schedules production runs, and ensures adequate raw materials are present. A brewer manager is also accommodated with the budgets i.e., how much amount should be allocated for this process. Brewer Manager also maintains hygiene and food safeties. The average salary ranges from INR 3 LPA to INR 5 LPA.
- Food Blogger: Food Blogger tries and tastes new products and inspires others to take up the newest dishes. Food Blogger also shares the recipes and ingredients to make that dish. They share the review for a new dish or a restaurant. Hey also share the pictures and videos in order to help the local eateries gain their business. Food Bloggers also make new recipes and share them on various social media platforms. Many Food Bloggers nowadays are cooking and sharing the recipe on their social media handles in order to beat the boredom caused due to Covid-19. The income source for them is very status as it depends upon the brand deals and engagement that they get.
How to Become a Food Technologist in India
Being a Food Technologist is one of the amazing jobs a person can choose in his life. Food technologist keeps track of all the procurements and sampling of the products and keeps track of the safety precautions and quality of the product.
- School Level Preparation: Students can choose Biology and Chemistry in their 10 as these are essential subjects and these subjects act as a foundation for the upcoming entrance exams. They must look after the subjects and streams that they are opting at the Intermediate level. They must have English as their optional subject as it may help them in the long run. Having a brief knowledge about the stream helps the students to successfully become a Food Technologist
How to Become a Food Technologist After 12th
Some of the crucial steps that must be followed in order to become a Food Technologist After 12th are listed below for your reference.
- UG Preparation: Post 10+2 a student has to appear for various entrance examinations. Based on the college, candidates are called for Group Discussion, Personal Interview Rounds for the final selection. After Excelling in all the stages as stated by the college candidates are called for Document Verification. If the Documents of candidates is found to be perfect, he/she is offered admission to the college.
- PG Preparation: After completing Graduation Degree, a student has to appear for various entrance examinations to get admission into colleges offering PG courses in the filed of Food technology. Based on the college, candidates are called for Group Discussion, Personal Interview for the final selection to the course. After Excelling in all the stages as stated by the college candidates are called for Document Verification. If the Documents of candidates is found to be perfect, he/she is offered admission to the college.
Food Technology Courses
To become a Food Technologist after Graduation one has to do B.E./B.Tech. /B.Sc. in Food Technology. Candidates must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree to become a Food Technologist. Some of the courses are mentioned below.
BTech Food Technology
BTech Food Technology is a 4 year UG course dealing with the study of Food processing, preservation techniques, and applications of food engineering used in the food industry to increase the shelf life of the product.
BTech Food Technology: Admission Process
- Admissions are offered to BTech Food Technology on the basis of scores obtained in the JEE entrance exam.
- Many colleges follow their own Entrance Exam for admitting students but most of the colleges offer admission to their Food Technology courses.
- Candidates need to apply by filling the application form, submitting the required documents, and paying the application fees.
- Shortlisted candidates will be later called for offline counselling and for the document verification process.
BSc Food Technology
BSc Food technology is a 3-year UG course offering an advanced study of techniques and activities which are involved in preserving, processing and manufacturing of food.
BSc Food Technology: Admission Process
- Admission for BSc is offered on the basis of Merit. Colleges offer admissions on the basis of scores obtained in 10+2.
- Few colleges conduct Entrance Exams to admit students to their Food Technology courses.
- The universities will prepare a merit list on the basis of 10+2 marks and shortlist the candidates for counseling
- After the verification of documents, students will be offered admission to the BSc Food technology course.
BE Food Technology
BE Food Technology is a 4 year UG course studying the theoretical aspects of food preservation, processing, packaging, distribution components and technologies which are used to preserve it into a usable form.
BE Food Technology: Admission Process
- Candidates seeking admission into BE Food Technology need to register themselves for an entrance test conducted at state or national level for further process.
- Based on the marks scored in the entrance test, eligibility criteria and seat availability, admission is provided.
- Few institutes also conduct personal interview/group interviews as well for the selection process.
- There are also few institutes which provide an admission on the basis of direct admission or merit list generated by them on the basis of marks scored at Intermediate level.
BTech Food Science and Technology
BTech Food Science and Technology is a 4 year UG course studying the nutritive values of food and its chemical composition, studying the microbiology of food and food products, as food technologists explore and understand food in its raw form.
BTech Food Science and Technology: Admission Process
- Admission is mostly based on the merit marks scored by the candidates at Entrance Exams like JEE, UPSEE, BITSAT, etc.
- However, there are few institutes that offer admission on the basis of marks scored at the Intermediate level.
- Candidates need to register themselves for the admission and stand up to the eligibility criteria of the Institute offering the course.
- Selected students will be called for Personal Interview and for document verification.
MTech Food Technology
MTech Food Technology is a 2-year PG course covering topics like production, processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, quality management. etc.
MTech Food Technology: Admission Process
- Admissions are offered to M.Tech. on the basis of scores obtained in the GATE entrance exam.
- Many colleges follow their own Entrance Exam for admitting students into MTEch Food Technology course.
- After the entrance exam, the institute will declare results and release their cut-off list of the selected students.
-
The shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification and personal interview for the final selection.
How to Become Food Technologist Abroad
Food Technology has been one of the most opted fields in many other countries so, apart from India many other countries offer Food Technology courses. Some of the countries that offer Food Technology courses are Australia, the US, UK, and Canada.
Australia
Australia is one of the most ideal choices for study as it has a high standard of living and low tuition costs as compared to the USA and UK. International students in Australia are permitted to work part-time while studying, which offsets their living costs.
Admission Process:
- For admission to any course in Australia, Candidate should have cleared IELTS
- On should have scored more than 7.0 in IELTS
Educational Requirement:
- For the UG course, a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 70% in 10+2.
- For PG candidates should have completed graduation in Food Technology with at least 65% in Graduation.
Top Colleges in Australia
| College | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | INR 48.75 L |
| The University of Sydney | INR 47.43 L |
| University of New South Wales | INR 53.35 L |
| La Trobe University | INR 44 L |
| Deakin University | INR 42.43 L |
| Macquarie University | INR 46.04 L |
UK
Degrees from UK universities are respected around the world and UK provides exhaustive course choices. The UK has 3 of its universities in the top 10 universities. The UK offers 20 hours in a week of Part time jobs to International students.
Admission Process:
- IELTS is mandatory for admission to any course in the UK.
- IELTS score of 6+ is required for entry into Food Science courses of UK
Educational Requirement:
- For the UG course, a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 70% in 10+2.
- For PG candidates should have completed graduation in Food Science with at least 65% in Graduation.
Top Colleges in UK
| College | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| King's College London | INR 28 L |
| University of Leeds | INR 30 L |
| University of Warwick | INR 28.90 L |
| University of Huddersfield | INR 15 L |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | INR 13.50 L |
| University of Aberdeen | INR 21.80 L |
| University of Roehampton | INR 20 L |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | INR 20 L |
| University of Reading | INR 29.30 L |
US
The US has some of the finest universities in the world and are consistently ranked among the top universities of the world. American Universities are known for their quality education and High academic standards making the curriculum rigorous for students which helps them in learning and getting in depth knowledge of the concepts.
Admission Process:
-
IELTS is the mandatory exam for entry into most courses in the US.
- Admission in Food Technology/Science courses of US university is done on the basis of IELTS score which should be greater than 7.
Educational Requirement:
- For the UG course, a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 70% in 10+2.
- For PG candidates should have completed graduation in Food Science with at least 65% in Graduation.
Top Colleges in US
| College | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| California State University Los Angeles Campus | INR 24 L |
| Columbia University | INR 40 L |
| Boston University | INR 42.90 L |
| The University of Texas | INR 12.80 L |
| Cornell University | INR 15 L |
| University of Michigan | INR 36 L |
| Purdue University | INR 20 L |
| Illinois State University | INR 26 L |
| Life University | INR 25 L |
Canada
Canada is ranked No. 1 for providing quality of life as it has some of the finest universities in the world. International students in Canada are permitted to work part-time while studying, which offsets their living costs. And the fact that Canada provides Permanent Nationality makes it one of the ideal choices for students.
Admission Process:
- Canadian Universities accept IELTS scores.
-
A score of 6.5+ in IELTS is considered to be a safe score for admission into any course in Canada
Educational Requirement:
- For the UG course, a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 70% in 10+2.
-
For PG candidates should have completed graduation in Food Technology with at least 65% in Graduation.
Top Colleges in Canada
| College | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | INR 14.40 L |
| The University of British Columbia | INR 5 L |
| McGill University | INR 10 L |
| Brescia University College | INR 23.40 L |
| University of Toronto | INR 20.34 L |
| McGill University | INR 18.30 L |
| University of Waterloo | INR 21.18 L |
| University of Alberta | INR 10.58 L |
Benefits of Career as Food Technologist
Below given are some of the benefits and perks of having Food Technology as a profession.
- Salary: A career in Food Technology can earn an average monthly salary of INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 at the start. With the experience, a candidate can make INR 50,000 to INR 80,000 per month.
- Job Security: Job security is the assurance a person has for his job for the future without any influence from outside factors. A career in Food Technology is a promising career as the field of Food Technology is never going to run out of business. The requirement of a food technologist is always high even in government institutions. It is a way of keeping the food products in standard and maintaining their hygiene. Food technologist is always entrusted in maintaining the quality of the product before the launch of the product.
- Positive Impact of career: Food Technologist works in upgrading the quality content of food which impacts the lives of many people. Every food product has to be passed through a test conducted by the food technologist to ensure the product’s quality. As the consumer's tastes change Food technologists have the options of innovating with the new product, process, and packaging foods or upgrading the existing food product. Food Technologists are also entrusted to maintain the composition of each ingredient in the food product so as to not cause harm to any individual or animal.
- Higher Studies: Everybody aspires to do higher studies after graduating as this is the only degree that can help you elevate faster in the sector. Similarly, food technologists also have the opportunity to study for post-graduation. After completing Graduation candidates can opt for MBA/M.Sc. Having done post-graduation paves the way to accelerate your career and to hold different leadership positions. But doing higher studies also brings the responsibility to work and manage a team to drive the growth of the company.
- Unique Experience: The experience of setting the quality standards of food that may impact the lives of many people is its kind experience. As the consumer's tastes change Food technologists have the options of innovating with the new product, process, and packaging foods or upgrading the existing food product. A food technologist researches the current consumer market to bring in the new product for the changing demand of the consumers. Food technologists also carry out administrative tasks and coordinate with different teams to deliver a new or existing product. A person can feel satisfied after providing quality food to as many people as he/she can.
Skills Required to be a Food Technologist
Some of the essential skills that are required to become a Food Technologist are tabulated below for your reference,
| Knowledge of Food and their Composition | Knowledge of Food Mixtures |
| Team working skills | Ability to work and showcase results in the laboratory |
| Good Communication skills | Leadership qualities |
| Administration and Management skills | Computer Skills |
Food Technologist Salary
A career in Food Technology can earn an average monthly salary of INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 at the start. With the experience, a candidate can make INR 50,000 to INR 80,000 per month.
The salary of a Food Technologist can be competitive in the initial stages as the salary mainly depends on the performance of the candidate. The average salary can range between INR 3 to 4.50 LPA.
Average Annual Salary
There is always a demand for Food technologists in the private as well as government sector in order to keep the quality in control of the food products. The government appoints various officers to check the product quantity and quality in order to maintain the hygiene of individuals. Governmental institutions hire private agencies or individuals to keep a quality check on food products.
| Name of Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | INR 5 – 6 L |
| Private | INR 3 – 4.50 L |
Specialization Wise Salary
There are a lot of opportunities for a food technologist after he has completed his studies in Food Technology. After completing a food technologist course, a person is offered roles of food quality control inspector, Food blogger, Brewer Manager, chief food technologist, assistant food technologist, etc. after one has entered the career path of food technology, he/she is expected to have knowledge related to food, nutrition, etc.
| Specializations | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Blogger | INR 3.50 L |
| Brewer Manager | INR 4.45 L |
| Food Quality Control Manager | INR 6.33 L |
| Food Technologist | INR 4.55 L |
Experience Wise
A career in Food Technology can earn an average monthly salary of INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 at the start. With the experience, a candidate can make INR 50,000 to INR 80,000 per month. The salary of a Food Technologist can be competitive in the initial stages as the salary mainly depends on the performance of the candidate. The average salary can range between INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,50,000 per annum.
| Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 3.50 L |
| Experienced | INR 6 L |
How to Become a Food Technologist: FAQs
Ques: What are the Qualities of a Food Technologist?
Ans: Knowledge of Food and its Composition, Knowledge of Food Mixtures, Administration and Management skills are some of the qualities a Food Technologist is known for.
Ques: What is the role of a Food Technologist in the Food Industry?
Ans: Food Technologists are important because they are responsible for maintaining and making different mixtures and compositions. They keep track of the raw materials required and try to maintain the quality of foods.
Ques: What are the career Prospects of a Food Technologist?
Ans: After completing a course in Food Technology a person can become a Food Blogger, Brewer Manager, Food Quality Control Manager, Food Technologist.
Ques: What are the companies that recruit Food technologists?
Ans: Some of the top companies that hire Food technologists are Haldirams, Amul, Adani Wilmar, Mother Dairy, Dabur, ITC Limited, etc.
Ques: Which books can I refer to for being a successful Food Technologist?
Ans: Following are the books you can refer to for being a successful Food Technologist
- Food: Facts and Principles by N. Shakuntala Manay
- Food processing technology by P. Fellows
- The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt
- Objective Food Science and Technology by Deepak Mudgil and Sheweta Barak Mudgil
- Food Science by Norman N. Potter
Ques: What are the subjects taught in Food Technology?
Ans: Candidates are taught about Food Microbiology, Food Processing, Food and vegetable Processing, Crop Processing Technology, etc.
Ques: What is the duration of the Food Technology course?
Ans: The duration of Food Technology varies based on the course chosen. The undergraduate degree course is of 3 to 4 Years while the Post Graduation course is of 2 years duration.
Ques: How do I prepare for a Food Technologist Job Interview?
Ans: Having a good understanding of the company’s background and concept clarity about the subjects taught in the food technology course can really make the way in an interview. One should be thorough with the knowledge of the subjects taught in the course and should be confident enough to answer all the technical questions asked in the interview.
Ques: Can I do any other bachelor's degree along with the bachelor's degree in Food Technology?
Ans: Yes, one can pursue two courses at the same time. One course should be a regular course and the other should be either online or distance and open education.
Ques: What is the difference between various Bachelors in Food technology courses?
Ans: The difference varies on the type or duration of the course. There will be an entrance exam for B.E./B.Tech. in Food Technology whereas there is no entrance exam for other Bachelor courses.
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