Duties
Food science technologists generally work in three main areas.
- In applied research and development, they assist in the
development of new processing methods and new or improved foods to meet
customer requests for healthier and safer foods. In general, they conduct
tests to see that products meet government and industry standards, and
satisfy consumer needs (e.g. have a long shelf-life).
- In quality control or assurance, they check raw ingredients
for freshness, maturity or stability for processing, and check finished
products for safety, quality and nutritional value. They may also develop
scientifically-based quality assurance programs, inspect processing line
operations, and develop and improve packaging and storage methods.
- In processing plants, they develop production specifications,
schedule processing operations, and evaluate processing and storage
operations. They may also work in managerial positions.
Working Conditions
Food science technologists work in laboratories and processing plants. In
some working environments, they may be required to work shifts.
Skills, Interests, Values
Food science technologists need the following characteristics:
- good organizational skills,
- a high degree of intellectual curiosity,
- the ability to work well as part of a team,
- creative problem-solving skills, and
- good interpersonal skills.
They should enjoy using instruments and equipment to perform tasks requiring
precision, analyzing data and conducting sampling and analysis programs, and
supervising the work of others.
Education Requirements
Food science technologists need post-secondary education in a related
field such as chemical technology, chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology.
Three-year and four-year degree programs and up-to-two-year transfer programs
in biochemistry, chemistry and microbiology are offered by colleges, university
colleges, and universities located throughout Alberta. For more information, see
the Biochemist, Chemist, Dietitian and Microbiologist
occupational profiles.
Two-year diploma of technology programs are offered by institutes of
technology and colleges. For more information, see the Chemical Technologist
and Food and Nutrition Management Technologist occupational profiles.
Employment and Advancement
Food science technologists work for food and beverage processing and
manufacturing companies, and private consulting firms. In Alberta, the major
sectors of the food
processing industry include
- meat and poultry processing,
- dairy processing,
- cereal grains and their products including flour, cereal, pasta and snack
foods,
- bakery and confectionery goods,
- vegetable oil refining and product manufacturing,
- soft-drink manufacturing,
- brewing, wine-making and distilling,
- vegetable processing,
- sugar manufacturing, and
- specialty foods manufacturing.
Most new graduates start as technicians, often in junior positions.
Experienced food science technologists can move into
- supervisory or administrative positions in quality assurance, inspection
or regulation,
- production management trainee positions leading to plant supervisory
positions,
- marketing and sales,
- new product development, and process research and development,
- regulatory positions with federal and provincial government agencies, or
- consulting positions with international food agencies such as the United
Nations' World Health Organization (WHO), the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), or
PLENTY Canada.
Food science technologists are part of the much larger "Applied Chemical
Technologists and Technicians" occupational group. Employment
prospects for this occupational group will be influenced by a wide
variety of factors, including
- the number of people in the occupation,
- the occupational growth rate, and
- trends and events in related industry sectors (see above).
1999 employment statistics and projections for Alberta indicate that
- there is a moderate number of people (1,000 to 5,000) employed in the
"Applied Chemical Technologists and Technicians" occupational
group, and
- this occupational group is expected to grow at an average rate (2.4% to
3.4% a year) compared to other occupations in the province through 2005.
(The average overall growth rate for all occupations is expected to be
higher for Alberta than for Canada as a whole.)
The occupational growth rate projection does not include positions that will
become available when employees leave. Since food science technologists form
only a part of the larger occupational group on which this forecast is based,
only a portion of the new positions created will be for food science
technologists.
Salary
Salaries for technologists and technicians employed in the food industry
generally range from $25,000 to $36,000 a year (1999 estimate).
Other Sources of Information
Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology, 1105, 191 The West Mall,
ETOBICOKE, Ontario, M9C 5K8.
Website address: www.cifst.ca
Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of
Lethbridge, 4401 University
Drive, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, T1K 3M4.
E-mail address: inquiries@uleth.ca
Website address: www.uleth.ca/chm
Laboratory Scientist, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, 5th
Floor, 6909 116 Street, EDMONTON, Alberta, T6H 4P2.
E-mail address: val.bohaychuk@agric.gov.ab.ca
Information from: http://www.alberta-learning.ab.ca/occinfo/system/public/occpro.cgi?
tc=00000179
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