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What is Food Science?

What is food science and food technology?

As defined by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), food science and technology is:

"...the discipline in which the engineering, biological, and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public.”

The major areas within the food science and technology fields include food chemistry, food microbiology, sensory and consumer sciences, food engineering, quality assurance, innovation, nutrition and regulation.

What would a world without food science look like?

What would a world without packaging look like?

Who are food scientists and food technologists?

Food scientists and food technologists are those who study, research, innovate and improve food products and processes to ensure safety, quality and nutritional adequacy are maintained in food products for a vast range of consumer needs.

Food Technologists are responsible for the safety and quality of products that thousands of people could eat every day. This is a big responsibility, especially with the increasing prevalence of specific dietary requirements. Food Technologists also source ingredients for products, as well as finding the best way to combine, process, store and preserve food in order to maintain taste and nutritional value.

Food scientists typically specialise in fields such as research and development, quality assurance, processing and regulation.

Food Technologists research, develop and oversee the production of food stuff. They study the physical, chemical and biological properties of food and help to improve the products in any way, from the nutritional value to the shelf-life. They ensure food products are produced safely, legally and are of the claimed quality, ensuring that they comply with a range of different food regulations.

Food Technologists may also work on existing or newly discovered ingredients and technologies to develop new product formulations and concepts, as well as modifying foods to create, for example, fat-free products and ready to eat meals. They often work closely with the product development teams to help deliver factory-ready formulations based on trial samples produced in test kitchens.


Where to study food science and technology?

Food science can be studied at a variety of different institutions around Australia. For a complete list of institutes and courses, see our Universities and Courses page.


From Farm to Plate

Food scientists and technologists have input all the way through the value chain – from farm to plate

1. Farm Inputs
  • Before producing crops/livestock, rigorous research and development need to be undertaken to determine what fertilisers, pesticides and production techniques will best suit the crop or livestock to ensure quality and to produce sufficient yield. Research of regulations and standards needs to be undertaken to ensure the crop or livestock is also safe for consumption
  • Jobs within this area: Crop Scientist, Geneticist, Agronomist, Quality Assurance. 
2. Production/Processing
  • Food technologists, food microbiologists, food product developers and food engineers may all be required at this stage to produce an innovative or improved product that will be of high quality and safe to consume. Quality assurance is also essential to ensure that all products are fit for consumption.
  • Packaging technologists are needed at this point to create packaging that is inert and protects the product.
  • Marketers are required to create packaging that promotes the product sufficiently.
  • Jobs within this area: Food Scientist, Food Technologist, Food Microbiologist, Food Product Developer, Food Engineer, Regulatory Compliance Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Packaging Technologist, Sensory Scientist, Nutritionist, Marketer, Supply Chain Manager.
3. Transportation/Logistics
  • R&D is required to determine what kind of storage the product needs to withstand transportation periods.
  • Packaging technologists need to consider the damage that may occur from transportation and optimal methods of transportation to decrease costs. Special consideration needs to be made for transporting hot and cold food products and maintaining safe levels to cook/chill guidelines.
  • Jobs within this area: Logistics Manager.
4. Marketing & Sales
  • Marketing is important to ensure that the product is promoted to a sufficient degree at retail level. Market research is also crucial at this step to analyse the food industry and determine where consumer demand lies. By researching the market and obtaining consumer feedback, companies can make informed decisions on where they would like to sell their product to ensure that it is received by their target market.
  • Jobs within this area: Marketer, Market Researcher, Market Analyst.
5. Consumer
  • Consumers drive demand; thus it is imperative for market researchers to analyse trends and forecast potential trends to ensure product relevance in the market.
  • Jobs within this area: Market Researcher, Market Analysis

Where can a career in food science and technology lead you?

  • Food Microbiologist
  • Quality Assurance Officer
  • Food Toxicologist
  • Food Inspector
  • Research & Development Manager
  • Food Engineer
  • Food Chemist
  • Sensory Scientist
  • Market Researcher
  • Nutritionist
  • Packaging Technologist
  • Public Health Official
  • Food Product Marketer
  • Food Consultant

Food Technology as a platform to other career opportunities

A Food Technologist's initial formal training can be in engineering, biological, chemical and physical sciences. They practice in a broad  spectrum of private sector, academia and public sector pursuits.  Often the initial technical training is enhanced with greater accumulation of knowledge, applications, experience, and development of business and interpersonal skills.

Careers that started in Food Technology may often diverge as influences from the workplace and opportunities arise. This generally leads to  added challenges and responsibilities, usually accompanied by greater recognition and remuneration.

There are many examples of Food Technologists promoted through to senior management or business leadership in large corporations. Food Technologists have also realised opportunities to start and successfully run their own businesses. Similarly, there are many examples of Food Technologists successfully making the crossover from Public Sector to Private sector.

In summary, Food Technologists have a wide range of opportunities to grow and change their career prospects.

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