Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Food Science: Understanding What We Consume
More and more people are now becoming aware of the food they eat, with increasing attention on its nutritional or medicinal value due to the growing health and wellness industry. Self-preservation and the healthy growth of humanity is likewise a primary concern of all institutions dedicated in ensuring the continuity of quality life.
This is why, most colleges and universities now offer programs to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science. An interesting field devoted in the study of food’s chemical and nutritional composition and natural source; the processes involving its transformation from one state to another; and the development and improvement of food for the safety and well-being of the consuming public.
The food and agriculture industry is pegged by World Bank in an estimated US $4.8 trillion, comprising about 10 percent of the global gross domestic product. Meanwhile, health and wellness is one of the fastest growing industries around the world. And with the advent of millennium technology in the medical world’s scientific lab, the use of raw food, miracle seeds, nutritional bacteria and more, is changing our knowledge and understanding of food being only a necessity for our daily existence.
What do Bachelor of Science in Food Science earners do?
People who developed larger curiosity on food science usually end up working with brilliant people developing new products for food consumers; creating designs for production, preservation, evaluation, manufacturing and distribution of food for industries; or leading breakthroughs in medical science.
Food scientists could be all-over as we see them in several sectors such as the food and agriculture sectors, the food and drug sector, the health and wellness sector, tourism sector and the medical sector.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science could also be an introduction to a tapestry of scientific disciplines including biochemistry, microbiology, molecular microbiology, biotechnology and microbial physiology.
There are numerous career opportunities for food scientists although the major job openings are in the food processing industry. The average salary grade for food scientists is around $16 per hour while those who occupy managerial or supervisory positions are being paid as high as $37 per hour or about $77,000 per year.
Five Known Expertise in Food Science
1. Food Microbiology
The core objective of food product development is to guarantee the safety and quality of food. This is where microbiology plays an important role. The appropriate knowledge of the interaction of microorganisms with food is a key to a successful procedure in food processing. Toxins produced by pathogenic microorganisms are poisonous to human body, thus food microbiology is a vital element in food science.
2. Food Engineering and Processing
Food engineers create and develop the designs for food processing, handling, manufacturing and production. The end-product of every food we eat is a concoction of various procedures designed by these engineers. Highly trained food engineers are in-demand in food industry, particularly among mega-food factories.
3. Nutrition
The huge challenge to the world is how to keep the human race healthy with prolonged life-span. Analyzing the biological effects of every nutrient we get from food is the main concern of nutrition experts.
4. Sensory Analysis
The analytical process of evaluating the different characteristics of food such as its favor, its color, texture, physical condition, and moisture is part of the whole procedure of food product development.
5. Food Biochemistry
Studying and understanding biochemicals is a must in food science. Food scientists need to understand how enzymes and other chemical elements that are found in raw foods work, if only to produce quality and safe products for the general public.
Where to get the Degree?
The best universities that offer Food Science Degree and its minors are Clemson University in Colorado State University, Cornell University in New York, King’s College in London, University of Leeds in United Kingdom, Mahidol University International College, and Taylor’s University in Malaysia, among others. Meanwhile, there are three popular professional associations of food scientists. These are the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), Food Scientists and Nutritionists Association India and the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST).
