Food Technology happens to be the study of production of food products, the storage, preservation and canning followed by packaging and distribution of the products. It includes all types of food processing activities, thereby including all kinds of food ranging from meat, vegetables, cereals, fish, egg, to fruits, milk, spices etc.

The developing consumerism coupled with fast paced life has resulted in great demands for processed and packed food. The challenge faced by the majority of food processing units currently, is the production of food items that would contain very less amount of preservatives and chemicals. This is where the tremendous need for the food technologists comes in. Thanks to the developing food sector that has made the Rising Career in Food Technology a lucrative one!

The job of the food technologists include the checking of the raw materials, maintaining hygienic and clean conditions and taking care of the quality of food. They also inspect the food, perform checks for adulteration and contamination, thereby certifying the nutritional value of the food products The food technologist also need to devise developed techniques for the processing and preservation of the food products. They are required to analyze the present consumer trends and should be aware of the latest technologies that would help in developing new products.

Eligibility and Courses

Those who desire to pursue undergraduate programs in Food Technology should have passed the 10+2 level with a subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, Biology. In order to enroll for the post graduation degree in Food Technology, one should have a B.Sc. degree.

Diverse varieties of courses in Food Technology are available at different levels. One can select from a wide range of degree courses, craft and diploma courses, short-term certificate courses, post graduate programs and many more. Some of the popular ones are:

  • B.Sc. with Food Preservation
  • B.Sc. with Food and Nutrition
  • B.Sc. Tech (after B.Sc.)
  • B.Tech. (Food Engineering)
  • M.Sc. Food Technology
  • M.Sc. (Food Science)
  • M.Sc. in Food and Fermentation Technology and Food Sc, Tech.
  • M.Sc. (Food and Nutrition)

Personal Attributes

  • Must possess average intelligence
  • Should have powers to observe
  • Should be interested in scientific and technological developments
  • Should have a scientific bent of mind
  • Should have interest in nutrition and health
  • Should have a sense of responsibility
  • Should be able to work individually as well as in team
  • Should have concentration powers, mainly in the field of research and development
  • Should be able to communicate effectively with all types of people
  • Should have a discerning approach towards food items

Career Prospects

A Career in Food Technology opens up opportunities for the food technologists to work at food industries, in hotels, hospitals, distilleries, rice mills, soft drink factories, manufacturing industries etc. Food Technology career offers some attractive and interesting openings at the managerial level as well. For instance, Industrial Production Managers are needed at the manufacturing plants for controlling the operation, sales and marketing professionals are required in various organizations. Further, Food technologists can work in production lines and research laboratories for developing new products, testing of the products, controlling the food quality etc.

Bright prospects are also there for the Food Technologists in the private and public sector. Lucrative offers are provided by Entrepreneurship as well in the business of food processing.

With foreign tie-ups and food chains emerging in India, the food technologists will be offered with immense have opportunities to give their career a fly! They can find job scopes with food research laboratories, hotels, food processing companies, restaurants, educational institutions, catering establishments, government bodies, and Public sector undertakings and many more. The professionals in the field of food technology can also work as health doctors or freelance consultants. In the field of home catering service and dynamic delivery networks, there are excellent entrepreneurial opportunities.

Institutes in India

Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Rajendra Nagar,
Hyderabad – 5000 030,
Andhra Pradesh

Central Food Technology Research Institute
Mysore – 570020,
Karnataka

College of Agricultural Technology
Marathwada Krisi Vidyapeeth,
Parabhani – 431 402.
Maharashtra,

Central Institute of Fisheries Education
Fisheries University Road,
Seven Bungalows, Andheri (W),
Mumbai – 400061

Govind Ballaph Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Patnagar -263145,
Dist, Udham Singh Nagar,
Uttarakhand,

Guru Nanak Dev University
Department of Food Science & Technology,
Amritsar – 143005, Punjab

IIT Indian Institute of Technology)
Kharagpur – 721302,
West Bengal

CSK Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya
Palampur – 176060,
Himachal Pradesh

Harcourt Butler Technological Institute
Nawab Ganj,
Kanpur – 208002,
Uttar Pradesh

Manipur University
Canchipur, Imphal, Manipur

M.S. University
Vadodara – 390002,
Gujarat

Mahatma Gandhi University
Priyadarshiri Hills P.O.,Kottayam – 686560,
Kerala

Jadavpur University
Department of Food and Technology and Biochemical Engineering,
188 Raja S.C. Malik Road,
Kolkata – 200032,
West Bengal,

SNDT Women’s University
1, Nathibai Thakersey Marg,
Marine Lines,
Mumbai – 400022,
Maharashtra

National Sugar Institute
P.O. NSI Kalyanpur,
Kanpur – 208017,
Uttar Pradesh

National Dairy Research Institute
NDRI Deemed University
Karnal – 132 001, Haryana

University of Delhi
Delhi – 11007

University College of Technology
(Osmania University)
Hyderabad – 500007,
Andhra Pradesh

University Department of Chemical Technology (U.D.C.T)
Nathalal Parikh Marg,
Matunga,
Mumbai – 400019
Maharashtra