Food technology is an extremely important part of our daily lives, though the people behind it are rarely seen and never acknowledged... Until things go wrong, and sickness strikes on a large scale. In a nutshell, food technology involves the process of ensuring that food reaches consumers in a form that is hygienic, free of pathogens, and nutritious. Ensuring such basic food safety requires a large number of processes and safety checks at every stage of food production, packaging, preservation, processing and transportation - from the contents of the fertilizer used to the cleanliness of the person packaging the finished product. A few of the procedures that go into food technology include: 1. Identifying the chemical makeup of food - especially that of hybrid plants and animals. Analysis at the molecular level yields information about nutritional value, and also lets the technologist identify any toxins that may be present. 2. Analysis of the raw materials that contribute to fresh produce - fertilizer for plants, fodder for animals 3. Study of packaging and preservation technology to ensure minimal loss of nutrients and taste during transportation and storage. This also includes canning, pasteurization and other food preservation techniques - each of which is a specialization in itself 4. Ensuring that proper hygiene and safety regulations are adhered to at all stages in food production 5. Experimentally finding innovations in food that increase nutritive value, eliminate harmful additives, and increase profitability for the manufacturer. Entering a career in food technology requires - at least - a bachelor's degree. This degree can be in one of many fields, eg: 1. Nutrition 2. Food science 3. Chemistry 4. Microbiology Further qualifications in genetics or biochemistry at the Master's level will raise the salary of a food technologist by at least 20%. In the US, the starting salary of a food technologist rises to $40,000 per annum within five years of experience, with only a bachelor's degree. This can go up to well over $70,000 per annum with the right employer and a good work record. Food technologists are usually employed by food manufacturers and suppliers. They may be involved in any of the following areas - 1. the development sector for new types of processing, packaging and distribution, 2. The sector for monitoring nutrition and compliance with the authority's standards(in the US, this is the FDA) 3. Collaboration with companies regarding sales and distribution - this also requires intensive market surveys, to monitor customer satisfaction and find avenues for generating greater value 4. The public sector, formulating new regulations for hygiene, additives and nutrition Food technologists are growing in demand thanks to a growing awareness of food, nutrition and additives among the general public. With the GMO bubble having burst and left ugly remnants, food technologists are now working double-time to deliver the best food to the public, while still retaining profitability for manufacturers. The job in itself is both grueling and rewarding, making food technologists work all day to ensure that they, and the rest of the country, eat food that is healthy and safe to ingest.
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Food technology is an extremely important part of our daily lives, though the people behind it are rarely seen and never acknowledged... Until things go wrong, and sickness strikes on a large scale.
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