Food Products & Processing Systems

Objectives To gain a basic understanding of the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway. To discover career options available within the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway. To explore the working environment, educational requirements, skills needed and salary of careers available within the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway.

Pathway Overview Careers focus on food production, quality and safety Duties include: creating new food products analyzing nutrient sources in food products inspecting and ensuring quality of food products

Biochemist/Toxicologist Career description: research various properties of living cells and organisms and the effects food sources have on those cells and organisms

Biochemist/Toxicologist Career description: responsible for researching, developing, testing and evaluating products meant for improving food production

Biochemist/Toxicologist Education/training: bachelor’s degree in biological science is typically the minimum requirement master’s or doctoral degree in biological science is needed for some positions Median salary: $79,390

Dietician/Nutritionist Career description: plan and provide food service or nutritional programs to promote health and disease control supervise food service systems, counsel individuals and/or conduct nutritional research

Dietician/Nutritionist Education/training: bachelor’s degree in foods and nutrition, food service systems or a related field is the minimum requirement master’s or doctorate degree could be required licensure may be required Median salary: $53,250

Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist Career description: investigate the many characteristics of microscopic organisms use biotechnology to study cell reproduction research various methods such as genetic engineering for improving food production

Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist Career description: identify and classify microorganisms found in human, water and food specimens study the control of epidemics and the effects antibiotics have on microorganisms

Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist Education/training: bachelor’s degree in biological science is typically the minimum requirement master’s or doctorate degree could be required Median salary: $65,920

Food Scientist Career description: study the principles of the production, processing and deterioration of food analyze food content in order to determine levels of vitamins, fats, sugars and proteins

Food Scientist Career description: make processed foods safe, palatable and healthful find new food sources determine the best ways to process, package, preserve, store and distribute food monitor the safety and sanitation of food processing areas

Food Scientist Education/training: bachelor’s degree in food science minimum requirement other acceptable degrees might include biology or chemistry master’s or doctoral degree needed in some positions Median salary: $58,450

Meat Cutter/Grader Career description: convert animal carcasses into boxed meat prepare portions of meat for retail establishments weigh, wrap and label meats for display

Meat Cutter/Grader Career description: prepare special cuts to fill unique orders for customers grade, sort or classify unprocessed food

Meat Cutter/Grader Education/training: bachelor’s degree in animal or food science is required for graders acquire skills through on-the-job training highly skilled butchers train one to two years

Meat Cutter/Grader Meat cutter’s median salary: $23,950 Meat grader’s median salary: $19,080

Meat Processor Career description: slaughter and clean meat animals cut standard or premium cuts of meat for processing and marketing cut carcasses into large wholesale cuts

Meat Processor Education/training: acquire skills through on-the-job training Median salary: $23,380

Produce Buyer Career description: purchase farm products for processing or resale negotiate contracts with farmers arrange for storage and transportation of products examine crops to estimate their value

Produce Buyer Education/training: vocational schools or related on-the-job experience associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field such as food science is preferred Median salary: $51,770

Food & Drug Inspector Career description: inspect agricultural commodities to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality and safety

Food & Drug Inspector Career description: collect samples from animals, plants or by-products and send to laboratories for microbiological assessment and other testing inspect food products and processing procedures for safety

Food & Drug Inspector Education/training: bachelor’s degree in an agricultural or food science field is required Median salary: $40,500

Discussion Questions Describe the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway and the careers available within the pathway. What education and training requirements are needed for most careers in this pathway? What are the working conditions for most careers in this pathway?

Discussion Questions 4. Describe the average earnings of some careers in this pathway and why they differ from other careers. 5. List three character traits you possess which would make you successful in a career in this pathway.

Resources U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Washington, D.C.: Jist Works, 2013. http://online.onetcenter.org/

Acknowledgements Production Coordinator Holly Mannan John Carroll Graphics Designer Technical Writer Jessica Odom Vice President of Executive Producers Brand Management Gordon Davis, Ph.D. Clayton Franklin Dusty Moore CEV Multimedia. Ltd. ©MMXIII