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FOOD SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLOGISTS
 
Occupation Description:
 
  Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
 
Career Video:
  Video Icon  Food Scientists and Technologists
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Typical Tasks:
 
 
  • Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
  • Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
  • Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
  • Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
  • Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
  • Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
  • Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
 
Knowledge:
 
 
  • Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques..
  • Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment..
  • Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m.
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods..
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar..
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications..
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services..
 
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Education & Training:
 
  Bachelor's degree
 
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site
 
Wage Information:
 
 
Region Average Annual Average Hourly Entry Level (hourly) Mid-Range  (hourly)
Statewide $98,076.00 $47.15 $34.12 $40.49 - $54.13
 
Occupation Outlook:
 
  Sorry, outlook information is not available for this occupation.
 
Similar Occupations:
 
 
State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109
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