Picture this: You’re in a state-of-the-art laboratory, carefully measuring ingredients and monitoring chemical reactions that will determine the taste, texture, and safety of a new food product that millions might eventually consume.
Think about the last time you enjoyed a perfectly preserved frozen meal or noticed how your favorite snack maintains its crunch month after month. Food Science Technicians are the detail-oriented professionals behind these achievements, working at the intersection of science and food production.
Food Science Technicians work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. They assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Total Employment: 15,190 (2023)
Common Names for Food Science Technicians
- Central Laboratory Technician (CLT)
- Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician)
- Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
- QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician)
- QC Tech (Quality Assurance Technician)
- QC Tech (Quality Control Technician)
- Quality Analyst
- Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)
- Quality Tech (Quality Technician)
What Food Science Technicians Do
Food Science Technicians support food scientists and technologists in research, development, and quality control. Core responsibilities include:
- Quality Control Testing: Conducts standardized tests on food products to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory requirements, protecting consumer health and maintaining product standards.
- Sample Analysis: Performs chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses of food samples to verify nutritional content, shelf life, and product consistency.
- Documentation Management: Maintains detailed records of test results, experimental data, and quality control measures to ensure traceability and support regulatory compliance.
- Equipment Operation: Operates and maintains laboratory equipment and testing instruments, ensuring accuracy in measurements and maintaining calibration schedules.
- Safety Protocol Implementation: Follows strict food safety and laboratory protocols to prevent contamination and maintain a safe working environment.
- Product Development Support: Assists food scientists in developing new products and improving existing ones by conducting trials and collecting data on taste, texture, and stability.
- Raw Material Inspection: Evaluates incoming ingredients and raw materials to verify quality standards and specifications are met before production.
- Process Monitoring: Observes production processes and collects data to ensure consistency in food manufacturing and identify potential improvements.
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