Career Opportunities in Food processing Industry
With the increased urbanization, improved standards of living, and the convenience needs of dual income families the market potentialities in the food processing and marketing sectors have also increased. Food processing involves preparing foods for marketing to the general public in grocery stores and other retail establishments.
Food processing constitutes the selection, cleaning of the raw material, followed by processing such as chopping, blanching, crushing, mixing or even cooking of the food item, the addition of preservatives and the final packaging along with keep in hygiene and maintaining quality of products.
In food processing industry Professionals are categorized as:
Food technologists:
Professionals as food technologists are responsible for determining the particular food process that is being performed in a certain specified way. They determine the quality of the raw materials used in the plants aw well as the food which has to be dispatched to the market. They have to check for the contamination, adulteration and controlling the nutritional value of the food products which are to be processed.
Organic Chemists:
Professionals as Organic Chemists are responsible to give advice on the methods by which the raw materials have to be converted into processed food.
Biochemists suggest improvements in flavor, texture, storage and quality.
Analytical Chemists analyze food products to maintain quality.
Home Economists expertise in dietetics and nutrition. They test the food and recipes according to the directions on the containers.
Engineers from various streams like Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Agricultural and Civil engineers are also required for planning, designing, improving and maintaining the food processing systems.
Research Scientists carry on experiments regarding improvement in yield, flavor, nutritive value and general acceptability of the packaged food.
All these professional are required in food processing industry for the practical application of the principles of many disciplines of science in the manufacturing or production, preservation and packaging, processing and canning of various food products.
The eligibility criteria for acquiring career in food processing industry should have passed 10+2 from with Physics, Chemistry and Biology background for B.Sc. in Home Science/ Food Technology/ Food Science, as the main subjects. And for M.Sc and Management, the minimum eligibility is a B.Sc.
Food processing industry offers very good compensation depending upon educational qualification, skills, work experience and contribution in the production process. Restaurants provide employment to candidates with degrees in home science and specializations in food technology, nutrition or food services management.
Diploma holders in dietetics, applied nutrition, food science and preservation and those having certificate in dietetics or food and nutrition can also be employed in this industry.
Bacteriologist, toxicologists and those trained in packaging technology, organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry can find opening food technology laboratories or in quality control departments.
The Food Corporation of India, which handles the purchase, storage transport and distribution of food grains and other food items, provide employment to large number of people. Private sector companies have been the key players in the food sector
Self-employment opportunities also exist in the form of dynamic delivery networks for those who want to work on their own.