Food Science graduates develop in-demand skills in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physics, engineering, nutrition, biology, math, and other disciplines valued across multiple career paths and sectors.
Food Science Career Paths
Research and Development
Education
Food Safety and Inspection
Sales and Marketing
Food Science Career Sectors
Food Science Career Paths
Food Scientists can pursue a variety of different career paths, and typically earn salaries competitive with other science and engineering degrees.
Research and Development
Food Scientist and Technologist
Food scientists and technologists use a variety of methods to study the content of food. They use the information that they find to develop new food products or improve the value, production, packaging, and selection of existing food products. Aside from being involved in food production, a food scientist’s career may also involve regulatory responsibilities. They may evaluate methods used in food production facilities to make sure that food safety standards are met, and enforce regulations when necessary. Other activities may include discovering new sources of food, testing for contaminants or harmful additives, and more!
Learn more at the Institute of Food Technology
Food Science Technician
Food science technicians, also known as food analysts, provide assistance to food scientists and technologists in their research. They perform standardized tests for quality assurance, quality control, and content analysis of food products. Food science technicians compile and maintain data obtained from their laboratory tests. Technicians analyze results in order to classify products and samples or compare results with standard tables. They ensure that food products and packaging meet required specifications. Food technicians may be responsible for preparing reports based on their results. Technicians are involved in cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Education
Extension Agents and Specialists
A Cooperative extension service agent provides education about current research findings to community members on a wide range of topics, such as agriculture, safety and environmental information. They are a part of the Cooperative Extension Service, a branch of the U.S Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities. Service Agents work with Extension specialists, who are based at universities. Extension specialists provide Service Agents with necessary training and information for their community outreach.
- Horticulture
- Suburban sprawl
- Environmental issues
- Public policy
- Food safety and nutrition
Extension specialists usually conduct research within their area of interest and use their findings within their educational programs. They may prepare other educational resources for the general public, such as videos or guide booklets.
Food Safety and Inspection
Consumer Safety Officer
Consumer safety officers conduct assessments in production plants to verify that their food safety systems are designed properly. They also make sure that the systems function properly. CSO may conduct investigations and gather evidence to support enforcement actions.
Food Inspector
Food inspectors ensure the safety and freshness of food for public consumption. They inspect slaughter houses and processing plants to ensure that federal agricultural laws and regulations related to the production of meat, poultry, eggs and their processed by-products are being followed.
Food inspectors may progress to work as consumer safety inspectors. These inspectors work in privately owned meat, poultry, and egg processing plants and ensure that plants are following safety sanitation guidelines. Another position food inspectors may assume is that of an import inspector. These individuals work at ports or other points of entry to the U.S. and make sure that imported products are safe.
Food Policy Analyst
Policy analysts are involved in formulating and evaluating government policies. They may work with groups such as non-profit organizations or agencies. Food policy analysts may focus on issues such as food safety and production, nutritional assistance programs, and relevant international affairs. Analysts are usually involved in researching the impacts of policies. Analysts obtain data and formulate statistics and reports that will later be used to address issues.
Sales and Marketing
Sales Representative
Sales representatives promote the sales of products and services of their employer companies. Sales representatives that work for companies that produce technical or scientific products typically visit with prospective buyers and explain how their product can meet their needs. For example, a pharmaceutical sales representative can meet with physicians, and other medical specialists to talk about how a certain drug works, its benefits, and side effects. Sales representatives may also sell laboratory products, medical equipment, nutrition and food products.
For more details check out the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Career page.
Food Science Career Sectors
Texas A&M’s Food Science graduates find exciting opportunities for employment in academia, the food industry (private sector), governmental agencies, non-profit and international agencies.
Academic Sector
Public and private universities throughout the United States and abroad employ food scientists in both faculty and research positions. Food Science academics contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, train the next generation of professionals, and have a positive impact on industry practices through research and education.
Private Sector and Industry
Many of our Food Science graduates are employed by leading food and beverage companies such as Pepsi Co., General Mills Inc., Kellogg’s, HEB and more. Companies in the private sector include:
- Food Product Development Companies
- Nutritional Product Development Companies
- Nutraceutical Companies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Manufacturing Companies
Government Sector
Various branches of the government employ food science graduates, such as:
Federal Government
U.S. Department of Agriculture – This large department takes on the responsibility of developing and executing federal policy on food and farming. The USDA oversees a variety of topics including food safety, animal and plant health, natural resource management, and the use of biotechnology and other scientific technologies, such as reproduction influences, in food. This department is divided into multiple services and programs.
- The Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Agricultural Research Service
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
- Women Infants and Children
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – This agency is responsible for multiple divisions related to human health. These divisions provide a variety of services. These divisions provide a variety of services. For a full list of divisions visit: http://www.hhs.gov/open/contacts/index.html#od
U.S. Department of Homeland Security – The Department of Homeland Security aims to keep the Nation safe from possible threats. To attain this mission, the agency requires thousands of employees from wide-ranging careers and backgrounds. Nutritional Sciences majors may be involved in the areas of public health, food production safety, and biosecurity.
State Government
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Service – Texas AgriLife Research, as part of the Texas A&M System, is an important research institution for the State of Texas. Research areas include agriculture, plant and animal diseases, field production, and other important issues. The AgriLife extension service is the community outreach and educational component of AgriLife.
Texas Education Agency – This agency is made up of several divisions in different areas of education, some of which include health and safety, education research and data analysis, and No Child Left Behind program coordination.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission – This commission oversees the Texas Health and Human Services System. The commission is responsible for administration of health programs as well as direct overseeing of some of these programs. It is comprised of five agencies:
- Health and Human Services Commission
- Department of State Health Services
- Department of Family and Protective Services
State colleges and universities – state college and university employees are a part of the state government workforce and include professors and research laboratory personnel.
County and Municipal Government
County and municipal governments are organized into different departments, such as the Brazos County Health Department. This department provides services to maintain public health, such as adult health and immunization clinics where community members may obtain education and health benefits. The Brazos County Health Department also has a health education and promotion division in which health educators provide programs, information, certification opportunities, and presentations for the community. There are other health and human services locations in every community, such as the Brazos Valley Food Bank, the Brazos Valley Community Action Programs, and the Boys and Girls Club of Brazos Valley.
Non-Profit and International Sector
CARE – This non-profit organization focuses on fighting poverty through international programs for basic education, preventing the spread of disease, and disaster-relief services.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – This organization works to achieve food security, improve food production in rural areas, and to make sure that people have access to food with enough nutritional value to maintain healthy lives. This organization is composed of seven departments and has established offices worldwide.
Peace Corps – Peace Corps is a unique government agency in that it was established to promote world peace and friendship. The agency establishes service programs worldwide and volunteers devote their skills to participate in specific programs. The work of a volunteer depends on the needs of the host country and the ability of that volunteer to contribute to those needs.
United States Agency for International Development – U.S. Agency for International Development is a government agency that provides assistance programs in foreign countries that people in those countries to obtain basic needs, such as food and nutritional education.
World Health Organization – The WHO directs global health matters within the United Nations System. This includes leadership on research, monitoring and assessing health trends, articulating health policies, and more.
There are numerous non-profit organizations; some may even be local groups. Internship and other educational opportunities are readily available within NPO’s. Many run with a fairly small permanent staff and often require the aid of numerous volunteers to reach their goals.