Picking out your college major is pretty daunting, especially when you don’t really know what comes after graduation. When it comes to food science, which blends biology, chemistry, engineering, and nutrition to improve food, you have a lot of options for a career.
This article is here to guide you through your options after graduation, so you know what to expect after your degree.
Research and Development
One of the common career paths for food science graduations is product development and research. This part of food science uses microbiology, chemistry, engineering, and nutrition to create new products and improve existing ones.
A big trend in research and development right now is functional foods. According to Taste of Science, this is food enriched with probiotics, antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3s that help support digestion, heart health, immunity, and cognitive function. As a research and development food scientist, you could make functional foods in the form of protein bars and beverages.
Quality Assurance & Food Safety
If you’re interested in keeping the public safe and happy, then consider working on quality assurance and food safety. This sector makes sure that food meets safety and quality standards for customers, so when you open a bag of chips or buy a loaf of bread, you know it’s good to eat.
Food quality and safety builds trust with customers, so it’s needed in every company. Food scientists not only know what quality food should live up to, but understand the underlying factors that affect it. For example, a food scientist knows what kind of microbes a food has, and how to kill it off by cooking at the right temperature.
Sensory Science & Consumer Research
Scientists can come up with new food and drink all the time, but if the consumer doesn’t like it, their invention isn’t going anywhere. That’s where sensory science and consumer research comes in. These essential parts of food science measure how much customers will like products, whether it’s testing the taste and texture with sensory science, or talking to customers directly with consumer research.
Working in this sector involves a lot of work in the lab and with consumers. With sensory science, you might organize panels of experts to provide objective feedback on the product. But if you want to figure out preference and perception for consumers, then you can use consumer research to go to them directly and ask what they think.
Regulatory Careers
Some food science graduates choose to work in government roles where they can help create, revise, and implement government policies and regulations. And this goes beyond inspecting food and facilities; this career writes out food laws that keeps the public safe, happy, and healthy.
If you want to find a role in this field, you can find work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or in a state food safety agency. Working for these agencies, you might draft policies, review new data, and collaborate with lawyers and lawmakers.
Conclusion
By now you’ve seen that a food science degree opens doors in many different directions. You could work in a lab developing new products, test food for quality and safety, find out what customers want, or write up regulations for the industry. With the right skills and knowledge, you can succeed in whatever path you choose. Whether working in a lab, out on the field, or in an office, you can play a part in feeding the world safely and responsibly.
Citations:
Taste of Science — Current Trends in Food Science and Technology
Lab Manager — The Indispensable Role of Food Science in Modern Quality and Safety Assurance
SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal — Sensory and Consumer Science Help Brands Create Better-Tasting Products
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Scientific Careers at the FDA
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) — Careers