|
|
Food science is a highly specialized field. Food science refers to dealing with processed food. The job of a food scientist is to ensure the safety of food and the productivity of the agriculture. A food scientist is a trained professional who examines quality of raw materials and food products. He is also responsible for keeping a tab on methods used to keep food fresh and appealing. A food scientist carefully inspects the ingredients and properties of food so it may be properly preserved, processed, packaged, distributed and stored. His is a very important role in our society. After all, it is he who ensures that the food intake we are having is of good quality and is safe. He also plays a vital role in maintaining the food supply chain. He creates new methods and benchmarks for food industry by taking factors like additives, shelf life and nutritional value of the foods into consideration.
Food science is a vast subject and a scientist has to handle aspects ranging from harvesting to consumption. A food scientist possesses all the scientific knowledge pertaining to food including processing, preserving, storing, packaging, and delivering food products. He also suggests news ways of improvements in harvesting and storage. Quite a number of these professionals spend their valuable time in finding new sources of food. The basic research conducted by them involves topics like studying the content of food to establish vitamin, sugar, protein and fat levels. They also look for perfect substitutes for harmful additives.
To become a food scientist, one must have a bachelor degree but ideally, a master’s or doctoral degree is required in this field. To get into a basic or applied research position, master’s degree in food science is required whereas those with doctoral degree can find work in senior research or teaching positions. Some of the subjects covered in food science course are, food analysis, food engineering, food microbiology, microbiology, human nutrition, organic chemistry, food processing operations and food chemistry etc. The course curriculum includes classroom lectures, laboratory research, thesis and fieldwork.
Demand for new food products, increase in food research, biotechnology advances and awareness about food safety measures etc are the reasons expected to drive demand for qualified and experienced food scientists.
In India, food science has emerged as quite a popular career choice in recent times. There has been a considerable increase in number of institutions offering degree and diploma programs at under graduate as well as at post graduate level in food science. To join an undergraduate program, one must pass 10+2 in science stream, while for post graduate programs the requirement is a B.E/B. Tech degree. At higher level, one can opt for a super specialty program in food science. There are wonderful employment opportunities for qualified food scientists in India. They can also work as food technologist or biotechnologist in government offices, private institutions, research institutions and laboratories.
Institutes offering training and knowledge in food science are:-
Central food Technology and Research Institute, Mysore
University of Calcutta (West Bengal),
Govind Ballah Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (Uttar Pradesh)
Mahatama Gandhi University (Kerala),
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Aurangabad)
Jadavpur University (West Bengal),
University of Agricultural Sciences (Karnataka),
University of Madras (Tamil Nadu)
|
|
