How to become a Food Technologist

Food technologists develop and improve existing food products and set standards for producing, packaging and marketing food. They use chemistry, microbiology, engineering and other scientific methods to study the process of food deterioration. They may specialise in fields such as meat, dairy, seafood, cereal products, confectionery, snack foods, beverages and minimally processed fresh produce.

Personal requirements for a Food Technologist

Enjoy scientific activities
Able to take initiative
Good problem-solving skills
Aptitude for mathematics, science and technology
Able to work as part of a team
Strong reading and writing abilities
Good observation and communication skills
A high level of accuracy
Good physical health

Education & Training for a Food Technologist

To become a food technologist you usually have to study nutrition, nutrition and dietetics, food science or food technology at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology and chemistry are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

Food technologists may be required to obtain a Provide First Aid Certificate, and undergo a National Police Check and medical exam.

Duties & Tasks of a Food Technologist

Food technologists:

Ensure safe and hygienic conditions are maintained during processing, storage and packaging of food
Check raw ingredients and processed food for nutritional value, safety and quality
Undertake basic and applied research into aspects of food processing, food preservation, food quality, food deterioration, packaging, storage and delivery
Check foods for colour, texture and taste to ensure products meet government regulations and standards
Develop and ensure food standards
Demonstrate products to clients
Develop new products and devise the techniques needed to produce these foods and maintain quality during storage
Supervise cleaning and maintenance of machinery used in food processing
Compare products with those of other brands and participate in surveys that provide information to management about new products and market trends
Supervise the transportation of foodstuffs such as fruit, vegetables and milk, and inspect for spoilage and quality deterioration
Develop quality control procedures for the manufacture of products in plants or factories
Analyse results and experimental data
Supervise and coordinate the work of technicians.

Tasks

Develops quality control procedures and safety standards for the manufacture of food products.
Tests food products for flavour, colour, taste, texture and nutritional content.
Advises on preserving, processing, packaging, storing and delivering foods.

Working conditions for a Food Technologist

Food technologists may be required to wear protective clothing.

Employment Opportunities for a Food Technologist

Food technologists work in food, confectionery, wine and beverage manufacturing firms, in departments such as research, marketing and distribution, quality assurance, new product development and production, as well as in the research and development of food standards regulation. Additional opportunities exist with equipment manufacturers, flavouring and food ingredient businesses and in the retail sector.Some food technologists are employed by government organisations such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and others work in state and territory government departments concerned with the quality of processed foods. Significant numbers find employment in large country centres near where foods are grown and processed.Food technologists may undertake further study to gain employment as teachers or lecturers in VET and higher education institutions or as self-employed consultants to the food industry. Graduates of biochemistry, chemistry and microbiology may also find employment as food technologists.Seafood technologists are employed in many areas of the fishing industry, including quality control, factory management, developing new products and training fishers in the correct handling of seafood.Dairy technologists work for organisations that manufacture or sell dairy produce, marketing boards and dairy machinery manufacturers. Other dairy industry opportunities include advisory and control work in processing and distribution, grading and analysis, teaching and research.

Specializations

Food Technologist

Average age
38 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
67% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,979
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
78% Full-Time
Employment Size
1,200 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 0.7%
NSW: 36.3%
NT: 0.2%
QLD: 11.7%
SA: 2.6%
TAS: 1.1%
VIC: 43.2%
WA: 4.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 6.3%
25-34: 34.2%
35-44: 26.6%
45-54: 18.3%
55-59: 6.6%
60-64: 4.2%
65 and Over: 3.5%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 8.5%
Bachelor degree: 58.6%
Certificate III/IV: 4.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 24%
Year 10 and below: 0.3%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 4.4%