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Food Scientist Job Description, Career as a Food Scientist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

scientists processing plants dairy

Education and Training: College

Salary: Median—$49,610 per year

Employment Outlook: Fair

Definition and Nature of the Work

Food scientists work in the food processing industry. Educated in nutrition, biology, and chemistry, food scientists use their knowledge to improve methods of processing, canning, freezing, storing, packaging, and distributing food. Most food scientists work in the research and development departments of food processing companies. Some work in processing plants as quality control inspectors or production supervisors. Some teach in colleges or work for the government as food graders and inspectors. Others work in sales or advertising. Food scientists are also called food technologists. Scientists who specialize in the technology of the dairy industry are called dairy technologists.

Food scientists who work in research and development study the chemical changes that take place in stored or processed foods. For example, canning or cooking food can lower the vitamin and protein content. Food scientists try to find ways to process food so that fewer nutrients are lost. They study the effects of food additives. They are also concerned with producing enough food to feed the growing world population. Some food scientists are trying to find new sources of protein. The development of meat substitutes made from soybeans and other vegetation is one example of new solutions to the problem of food shortages. Although food scientists are mainly concerned with nutrition, they also pay attention to the flavor, appearance, and texture of processed foods.

Many food scientists work in quality control in food processing plants. They inspect raw ingredients to make sure they are fresh. They also see that the processing operation is carried out in accordance with government regulations. Other food scientists in processing plants make up production schedules, supervise processing, and develop sanitation methods.

Education and Training Requirements

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in food technology to be a food scientist. For teaching positions and some research jobs, they need a master's or doctoral degree. Some colleges offer courses in dairy technology.

A food scientist working on food safety in a laboratory holds samples of bacteria to a light. (© Jim Richardson/Corbis.)

Getting the Job

Visit the college placement office for assistance with job searches. Apply directly to dairy and food processing plants. Also, check the want ads in professional journals. To get a job with the government, apply to take the necessary civil service test.

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Food scientists may become supervisors. For example, a food scientist may become a production manager or a research director. Some become top managers in their company.

The number of jobs for food scientists is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2012. Many openings will result from those who leave the occupation or retire. Also, a growing emphasis on diet, health, and food safety will lead to job opportunities for food scientists.

Working Conditions

Working conditions vary with the type of work. Food scientists work in laboratories, food processing plants, and colleges. They generally work thirty-five to forty hours a week.

Where to Go for More Information

American Meat Science Association
1111 North Dunlap Ave.
Savoy, IL 61874
(217) 356-5368
http://www.meatscience.org

Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology
1200 New York Ave. NW, Ste. 390
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 326-7080
http://www.cpst.org

Institute of Food Technologists
525 W. Van Buren, Ste. 1000
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 782-8424
http://www.ift.org

Earnings and Benefits

Earnings vary depending on education and experience. Food scientists earn an average of $49,610 per year. Benefits include paid holidays and vacations, pension plans, and health insurance.

Food Technologist Job Description, Career as a Food Technologist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job [next] [back] Food Science Technician Job Description, Career as a Food Science Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

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9 months ago

this actually helped me a lot for a chemistry project :)

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6 months ago

Dude! its friggin food science. Genius

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about 3 years ago

Your site is very informing, but you dont mention the hazards of food scientists. what are they?

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3 months ago

OMG!!!!......Thanks you so much....this helped me a lot on my carreer journal for my biomedical class:)

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9 months ago

this is good work

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9 months ago

this actually helped me a lot for a chemistry project :)

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about 1 month ago

really funny i wonder how many people who look at this are in biomedical science class for project lead the way lol my bet is quite a few

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8 months ago

they are actualy right what are the hazard they face ?
and is it easy to have a job after we graduat from school ?
is it hard to find a job in lebanon for example ?
i am kind of lost between entering to study food science and management or studying architecture?
what do think what should i do ?
last of all are u in this business??

thank youuu

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6 months ago

very helpful but couldnt find any benefits!! /:

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5 months ago

This has been useful, thanks.

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about 1 month ago

hahah biomed for school wuuzzz uppp

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3 months ago

this helped so much for my career journal in a biomed class!!

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9 months ago

Food Scientist Job Description, Career as a Food Scientist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

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over 1 year ago

after graduating from school, is it easy to earn a job from any company?

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over 2 years ago

i dont uderstand what type of science this is...life, earth, or physical?

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3 months ago

This sucks. I love it how the citation isnt even in the right form. im doing career jounals and i cant freakin cite my sources properly. thank you.

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9 months ago

Food Scientist Job Description, Career as a Food Scientist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

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about 2 years ago

will i be able to get good jobs in asian countries like nepal,india by studying this course?

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about 3 years ago

she had a good question, what are the hazards they face?

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about 1 month ago

heyy thanks haha great site this is all i needed for my biomed class for PLTW

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6 months ago

this is food science dummies

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about 1 year ago

The salary seems so low. I was stuck between culinary and this. But the salary just seems pretty disappointing to me. :/

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12 months ago

why are you a hobknocker!?

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4 months ago

this is some good information

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6 months ago

who is a food scientist

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21 days ago

This website was pretty cool, ill prob tell my project lead the way teacher about it, it really helped

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21 days ago

This website was really good it helped me with a career journal for my biomed class. This website needs to put the salary range of a food scientist on here, i need that and it wouldve helped. but this website was really good!

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29 days ago

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21 days ago

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21 days ago

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4 months ago

yo this suks bro

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2 months ago

Thanks so much! (:
This helped!

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3 months ago

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21 days ago

sorry oops i didnt see the salary at the bottom.....thanks this really helped for PLTW.

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