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Dietician
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State Registered Dietitians (SRDs) are uniquely qualified to translate scientific information about food into practical dietary recommendations. As well as providing impartial advice about nutrition and good health, dietitians also have expertise on food related problems and treat disease and ill health.
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Nutritionist
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Nutritionists apply their scientific knowledge to promote an understanding of the effects of diet on health and wellbeing.
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Government Nutirition Policy Advisor
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Government Nutrition Policy Advisor - working in the areas relating to information which the public needs about food and public health functions, such as the links between diet and health
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Food Legislation Advisor
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Working with Government and regulatory bodies as an expert to formulate new laws on food safety.
Food researcher in food products industry - advising how to turn raw ingredients into new and novel products with little waste and consumer appeal.
Risk Assessment - working with regulatory bodies or food manufacturing and retail companies in determining safe levels of the naturally-occurring or deliberately-added chemicals in food which are potentially harmful to health and then to decide on the amounts that we could consume without risk of suffering these harmful effects.
Health Promotion and Education - working within the NHS or education departments.
Emergency relief worker - working around the world to help victims of hunger.
Food toxicologist - Examining chemicals in food that are potentially harmful to health and determining safe levels of chemicals in food. This usually involves reviewing all the information on the types of harmful effect that the chemicals might have and may involve both lab and office work.
Food Microbiologist - Applying knowledge about micro-organisms that cause food spoilage or food poisoning to ensure safe handling of food under hygienic conditions.
Food safety advisor - To advise food manufacturers and retailers (including cafes, restaurants etc.) on safe food handling and processing.
Teaching/ Lecturing: Imparting knowledge, skills and understanding in various food related disciplines in educational establishments such as schools, colleges, universities etc.
Food technologist - There are various roles within the food production or food research industry such as food preservation, food packaging, new product development, etc.
Food Engineer - designing the machinery used in food processing and packaging.
Food science journalism / communication
- knowledge backed reporting or reviewing of food related news issues.
Food consultancy - Freelance work in various food related disciplines within the food industry and food retail.
It's certainly a long list - and these are just some areas of food science employment.
If you are interested in these or any other food science job you might want to know…
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What to choose at school?
Any degree course you head for will expect you to have Basic English and Maths GCSE. Food Technology is obviously an excellent choice, and many courses require at least one pure science at 'A'level or equivalent, some specify chemistry or biology or both, some ask for one out of chemistry, physics, biology or maths at least. Certainly whatever type of course you are aiming for some knowledge and experience of food technology and good grades in Chemistry and Biology will help enormously.
Where do I start?
First you will have to decide what kind of food science job you want. There can be quite a lot of hard science knowledge and skills involved or, say, if you want to be a food journalist or manage a food department in a department store, you might plump for a course that's more general nutrition / management orientated. There are a lot of different and specially tailored courses out there!
What can I study?
For tip top and very specific advice go to http://www.ifst.org/careers.htm which is the careers advice section of the
Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK)
who have thoughtfully rounded up course details from the courses they have approved. The courses are not all the same so check each one to see which would really suit you.
Or you can send off to them for their booklet called "An A to Z of Careers in Food Science and Technology" to:
Institute of Food Science & Technology,
5 Cambridge Court,
210 Shepherd's Bush Road,
London
W6 7NJ, UK.
You can study food science with a variety of qualifications, not just 'A'levels, for example if you study for an NVQ, HND or on an access course you can continue to degree level. Or you can begin to work in the industry at a lower level and gain experience that way. http://www.ifst.org/courses.htm for more info.
You can also now take a job combined with study called a Modern Apprenticeship, where you'll work in the food and drink sector but have day release to college to study towards NVQ in Food and Drink Manufacturing, Food Hygiene Certificate and Health and Safety Awards. Find out more from the careers section of the http://www.foodanddrinknto.org.uk/ Food and Drink National Training Organisation.
What about if I choose a straight science degree?
This is a good idea if you want to keep your options open. If you then decide to go for food science you can choose from a number of Post Graduate Courses. The IFST website also has plenty of information on where to go after your first degree.
What is for sure is that food is an expanding business as people lead busier lives and become more aware of what the right food can do for them.
If you fancy food science as your career you are almost certainly guaranteed a job!
For a personal insight into the world of food science check out the Meet Your Match database, search under subject Food Science and Nutrition.
Further info can be found at:
The Design and Technology Association
http://www.foodtech.org.uk for general information about studying food technology at school
The British Nutrition Foundation
http://www.nutrition.org.uk/mainmenu2.htm for general information about this career and
http://www.nutrition.org.uk/education/
scienceyear/careerprofiles.htm to read some profiles of people working in this fascinating field.
Independent Education Careers advice
http://education.independent.co.uk
Excellent round up of Food science career information with a slant on university courses.
Food and Drink National Training Organisation
http://www.foodanddrinknto.org.uk
Really clear and excellent advice from the people who know!
Environmental Health Careers
http://www.ehocareers.org
This area strays over into Food Science as many environmental health officers deal with food outlets of one sort or another.
Food Engineering
http://www.ehocareers.org for those with an engineering bent, no specific careers advice but an insight into the job, and some job adverts to try on and see if they fit!
The Institute of Food Research
http://www.ifr.bbsrc.ac.uk
Nothing specific on careers here but a good way to acquaint yourself with the more scientific end of the food careers world.
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