If you enjoy science, are analytical, creative and passionate about food, this sector opens up many interesting career options. Consumers may not realise all the steps needed for their food to reach the supermarket shelf or land on their plate when dining out in a restaurant. Food Scientists are fundamental to this process and are involved in all aspects of food production until the product reaches the end consumer. They apply their scientific knowledge to ensure that the food we eat is safe, sustainable, nutritious and of high quality.
Food Science is interdisciplinary in nature. It combines the study of biochemistry, chemistry, nutrition, microbiology and engineering. This provides you with the technical and scientific skills to work in this rapidly growing sector which is continually developing to satisfy global trends and consumer demands for new products. As a Food Scientist you will study the nutritional content of food, how it is harvested, processed, preserved, stored and distributed in a safe and efficient manner to ensure a first rate product.
Researching, creating and developing new products before they come to the marketplace may be a key part of your work as a Food Scientist. You will formulate new products from scratch coming up with ideas for ingredients, additives and flavours. You will also carry out sensory evaluation using the five senses of sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. For example, how to ensure food maintains its flavour in an aircraft. It can also be a very satisfying part of the process developing new brands and innovative packaging to appeal to your target customer. New products might include low sugar options or contain nutraceuticals which are food products with concentrated compounds such as probiotics or Omega 3. These products which can provide health benefits are increasingly being developed to satisfy the sports nutrition, health and wellness markets.
Food Scientists have been responsible for developing a variety of new methods of preparing and preserving products such as frozen and convenience meals to ensure an abundant and varied supply of food is available to the consumer to meet their lifestyle demands.
As well as new product development you could work in quality assurance, production, food safety, food regulatory compliance, in logistics and distribution or technical sales and marketing in a laboratory, manufacturing or office environment.
Other career options include food and agri business, dietetics, nutritionist, sustainability, global supply chain, food compliance regulation, government departments e.g. food safety organisations & regulatory bodies, food journalism, health promotion, health & safety auditor.