Food safety officer is amongst the professions which have a lot of scope in the government sector as well as the private sector. Government hires food safety officers based on the state civil services exam in the concerned state. Food safety officers are in charge of inspecting manufactured food or food items stored for sale, or exposed or exhibited for sale, as well as any place where any adulterant is manufactured or kept.
Students aspiring to become a Food safety officer can pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate Food Technology Courses such as, BTech Food Technology, BSc food science, BE Food Technology etc. Students after clearing class 12th board exams, preferably in Science stream can apply for UG courses in Food Science as well. Students who wish to pursue PG courses must clear their bachelors with the relevant specializations. India is home to several Top Food Technology colleges such as Amity University Noida, NIMS University Jaipur, Jamia Hamdard, Lovely Professional University etc.
Admissions to these colleges are done on the basis of various Engineering Entrance Exams such as JEE Main, WBJEE etc. After completing the food science course, students are appointed as technologist, Nutritional Therapist, Product / Process Development Scientist by top recruiters like Dabur India, ITC Limited, Agro Tech Foods etc. After completing a degree in Food Safety students are placed at top organizations with an average salary of INR 3LPA – 7 LPA. Read More: Food Safety Officer Salary
- How to Become a Food Safety Officer: Quick Facts
- Types of Food Safety Officers
- How to Become a Food Safety Officer in India
3.1 How to Become a Food Safety Officer After 12th
4.4 BSc Food Science
6.1 India
6.2 Abroad
How to Become a Food Safety Officer: Quick Facts
The food safety officer’s career is the dream of many graduates. Some quick facts to look at before discussing further about it in-depth.
| Industry | Food & Nutrition |
| Eligibility | 10+2 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2-6 LPA |
| Job Opportunity | Food & Nutrition Consultancies, Agriculture Sectors (research), Universities, etc |
Types of Food Safety Officers
A Food Safety Officer is an expert who is capable of investigating food samples collected from different places for review. They can give a notification to the maker, wholesaler or the vendor of the food item for the use of risky food items or crude material.
Some of the major classifications among the food safety officers are listed below.
- Health Inspector: The Food and Drug Administrator job role is to protect public health by ensuring the safety of food products and also to reduce the harmful effects of regulated tobacco products.
- Food Scientists: A Food scientist inspects food tests to consider the handling of food varieties and its weakening. They investigate the food sample to check for any harmful substance or material utilized in the food. They additionally discover solutions for packaging and preservation of food.
- Food Technologist: A Food technologist ensures that severe cleanliness sanitation guidelines are followed during food preparation and packaging. They screen the utilization of added substances and additives in food things and furthermore tests and inspect food samples.
- Food and Drug Administrator: The Food and Drug Administrator work job is to secure public health by ensuring the safety of food items and furthermore to lessen the destructive impacts of regulated tobacco products.
How to Become a Food Safety Officer in India
Becoming a food safety officer in India is a challenging job. Candidates who wish to pursue this career, must train their mind to face some issues and start preparing after qualifying for secondary class (10th). Thereafter they need to choose the right subjects, prepare for Graduation, followed by a certificate course related to food safety officer will be beneficial.
School Level Preparation
- Those who want to become a food safety officer have to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Economics for higher secondary level in school.
- They have to qualify an entrance test to get admission into a Bachelor’s degree program in food or a relevant field.
- Students can prepare for the entrance tests by taking admission in the various coaching institutes.
- Apart from that the students can also solve the previous years paper and the different sample papers or mock tests are released by the examination authorities.
How to Become a Food Safety Officer After 12th
The following steps as mentioned below can be followed by students aspiring to become a Food Safety Officer,
Graduation Level Preparation
- At the UG level, candidates aspiring to become a food safety officer should first focus on clearing the entrance exams and getting admitted in a bachelor’s degree course.
- It can be any B.Tech. or B.E course. The students can also enroll in the alternative courses such as a BA in Food Science, Bsc in Food Technology, etc
- Students along with their undergraduate courses should focus on developing deep understanding of various subjects of the programs
- Students should try to maintain at least 55% to 60% overall score during their UG course.
- Students opting for the master's courses should start preparing for the GATE or JAM exams.
Post Graduation Level Preparation
- After the completion of the bachelor course the students can take admission by taking the GATE or other related entrance exam
- The students should put in much more effort for the GATE exam because every year only 15-20 % of the students are able to clear the entrance test
- After completion of the Under graduation course and before opting for a job or higher studies, it would be beneficial if you gain a professional certification along with an internship to secure yourself for a better salary package.
Food Technology Courses
BTech food technology is the most pursued course to become a food safety officer in India. Students have the option to pursue other related courses such as BTech food science, BE food technology, BSc food sciences, etc.
BTech Food Technology
- BTech Food Technology is a 4-year Undergraduate degree program that manages the investigation of Food preparing, safeguarding methods, and uses of food designing utilized in the food business to increase the shelf life of the product.
- Most admissions to this course are offered based on entrance tests as per the guidelines of colleges/universities offering the course. Scores in 10+2 of the students are also considered
- Applicants from the science stream can just apply online effectively for the entrance test or direct application as per the college where admission is desired.
- Some of the entrance exams for Admission in B.Tech Food Technology courses are: JEE Mains, WBJEE, EAMCET, UPESEAT, AMITY JEE, TS-EAMCET, AP-EAMCET.
- Students willing to take admission in B.Tech Food Technology must have completed their intermediate from science from a recognised board
- They must have at least 50% marks in 10+2 from a recognised board
- They must have qualified for the entrance test too if applicable to the interested institute.
BTech Food Science
BTech Food Science or Bachelor of Technology in Food Science is an undergrad degree programme.
It is the study of the idea of food varieties and the progressions that happen in the food sources normally and as a result of handling and processing.
| Duration | 4 years |
| Admission Process | Entrance based (like JEE Main, KCET etc) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in Class 12th in relevant subject from a recognised board |
| Average Fees | INR 60,000-7 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 2-6 LPA |
BE Food Technology
Bachelor of Engineering in Food Technology is a Undergraduate level course duration of 4 years. The course essentially centers around the application of food science to its choice, protection, handling, bundling, dissemination, and to ensure a protected, nutritious and healthy consumption of food.
| Duration | 4 years |
| Admission Process | Entrance based (JEE Main, MET, BITSAT etc) or Merit Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in Class 12th in relevant subject from a recognised board |
| Average Fees | INR 2-5 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 3-7 LPA |
BSc Food Science
BSc Food Science is a 3-year Undergraduate program which deals with the nature and changes of food when it is handled or processed.
| Duration | 3 years |
| Admission Process | Merit Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in 10+2 with at least 50% marks |
| Average Fees | INR 20,000-1 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 2-4 LPA |
BSc Food Technology
BSc in Food Technology is a full-time undergrad degree program which is of 3-year duration. This program includes a high level investigation of methods and exercises which are engaged with preserving, processing and manufacturing of food.
| Duration | 3 years |
| Admission Process | Merit Based or Entrance based depending on the colleges |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in 10+2 with at least 50% marks |
| Average Fees | INR 20,000-1 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 2-4 LPA |
MSc Food Technology
MSc Food Technology is a 2-year postgraduate program that manages the advancements to deliver, safeguard, interact, package, and distribute the food. It incorporates the study of cycles and strategies required from collecting the crude material to reaching the final product to the consumer.
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission Process | Direct Admission followed by Counselling/ Entrance-based |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in Bachelor with at least 50% marks |
| Average Fees | INR 20,000-4 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 3-7 LPA |
MTech Food and Nutrition
MTech Food and Nutrition or Master of Technology in Food and Nutrition is a full-time postgraduate program. It covers areas of technology identified with creation, handling, bundling, quality control, conservation, transformation of crude material into food and dispersion channels of food products.
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission Process | Entrance-based (GATE, TANCET, UPSEE etc) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed in Bachelor with a relevant subject |
| Average Fees | INR 60,000-4 Lakhs |
| Starting Salary | INR 5-8 LPA |
How to Become a Food Safety Officer Abroad
There are several top colleges abroad that offer courses relating to Food Technology, Food Science, agriculture, Biotechnology, Microbiology, etc. for becoming a Food Safety Officer. They help the candidate understand the laws related to the food industry in that country. Some of the preferred countries to pursue courses related to Food Technology or other related courses are USA, UK, Canada and Australia.
If a candidate wants to become a Food Safety Officer abroad, he must fulfill the following eligibility criteria that is provided below for your reference,
- Candidates must have cleared 10+2 or other equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 70% or above.
- For pursuing Master’s Degree, the candidate must have cleared the Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Food Technology, Biotechnology or other related field.
- Candidates must clear various English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL and must secure a minimum score of 6.5 and 100 and above respectively.
- Candidates must also submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) along with their updated curriculum vitae.
- The candidate must have two Letters of Recommendation from the last institute attended explaining the candidate’s academic qualification and career interests.
- For financial assistance, the candidate can apply for scholarships to study abroad.
Top Food Technology Colleges
India is home to more than 240 Food Technology colleges. Out of the total Food Technology colleges in India, 53% are Private, 43% are Public/Government colleges and around 4% are deemed. Similarly, Some of the preferred countries to pursue Food technology courses are UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The top colleges abroad are University of Sussex, McGill University, etc.
Some of the top Colleges India and abroad that offer Food Technology courses are tabulated below for your reference
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | 82,690 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | 2400 |
| National Institute of Technology | Rourkela | 2,26,000 |
| Amity University | Noida | 1,92,000 |
| Parul University | Vadodara | 86,000 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | 69,000 |
| University of Engineering | Chandigarh | 80,000 |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | 1,68,000 |
| University of Petroleum and Engineering | Dehradun | 1,60,000 |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of London | UK | 14,11,000 |
| University of Sussex | UK | 19,00,000 |
| University of Leeds | UK | 26,60,000 |
| Washington State University | USA | 19,37,000 |
| Iowa State University | USA | 20,19,300 |
| Texas Tech University | USA | 11,49,000 |
| University of New South Wales | Australia | 26,88.000 |
| The University of Queensland | Australia | 23,89,000 |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | 27,10,000 |
| McGill University | Canada | 19,02,000 |
| University of Toronto | canada | 16,28,000 |
Benefits of Becoming a Food Safety Officer
After seeing such growth and globalization of the food industry over the years, hiring a food safety officer added value to the organization. The following are some of the benefits of a career as a food safety officer.
- Salary: The average salary of food safety officers in India is INR 3,00,000. Food safety officers freshers at the starting of their career earn INR 2,50,000 per annum. Food safety officers with more than 10 years of experience can earn over INR 6,00,000 per annum.
- Job Security: Global food industry is currently a 5 trillion-dollar market and by 2050, it’s expected that the global population will grow to 9.6 billion, thus requiring a significant increase in skilled food safety officers.
- Make a Difference: Food safety officers impact the health and well-being of people by preventing potentially deadly pathogens from contaminating our food. This career offers the chance to affect global change while performing meaningful, socially responsible work.
- Dynamic Environment: From inspecting products to recommending improvements for quality, working as a food safety officer can mean touring a factory floor to leading a boardroom meeting, all in one day. 74% of workers have international responsibilities, thus it provides opportunities to work in a dynamic environment.
- Unique Experience: A food safety officer as a career is very challenging. Earning unique experience by identifying, assessing, managing and gaining a vivid set of knowledge will help you to grow in your career and to make you ready for the next step in this field.
- Career Flexibility: Food safety officers have the option to work in small factories, mid-sized companies, or large, multinational corporations. There are also opportunities to apply your knowledge to areas of personal interest, such as nutrition, sustainability, trade, environmental justice, human rights, education, rural and urban development, law, business, and marketing. A career as a food safety officer allows you to shape and grow your career on your own terms.
Skills Required to Become a Food Safety Officer
To become a food safety officer you must hold some useful skills required in this career. The following are some skills for the food safety officer career.
| Be a good observer | Judgment and Decision Making |
| Strong communication skills | Critical Thinking |
| Able to clearly and critically specify | Systematic thinking |
| Have good decision-making skills | Aware of the latest analytical methodologies |
Salary of a food safety officer in India
The average salary of a Food Safety Officer ranges from INR 3.50 - 5 LPA. While officers with substantial years of experience like 5-7 years earn around INR 7 - 9 LPA. Since, this is a government job, a Food Safety Officer is entitled to several other emoluments such as PF, Gratuity, HRA, Travel allowance etc.
The salary of a food safety officer on the basis of their specialization is provided below for your reference.
| Specialization | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Food & drug administrator | 4 L |
| Food Technologist | 4.50 L |
| Food Scientist | 7.50 L |
| Health inspector | 3 L |
How to Become a Food Safety Officer: FAQs
Ques. What is the work of a food safety officer?
Ans. The work of a Food Safety Officer incorporates taking samples of food varieties items from different places, holding onto risky food items, investigation of any dubious food creation premise, giving notification for any perilous food items or crude material and annihilating them, acting against the producing, wholesalers.
Ques. How can I become a food officer in India?
Ans. To become a Food Officer an applicant should be Graduate in any relevant discipline. After finishing the 3-4 years Bachelor course, a student procures qualification to appear for Food Office selection examination. This test is being led by the Central Government and State Governments both every once in a while.
Ques. What are the advantages of being a Food Safety Officer?
Ans. A Food Safety Officer is employed at a regulatory level with a decent compensation scale. They are answerable for settling on significant choices identified with safety and hygiene of food.
Ques. What are the Course Fees to become a food safety officer?
Ans. You can pursue any of the programmes related to food technology in order to become a food safety officer. The total course fees vary between INR 10,000-6 lakhs depending upon the courses you pursue.
Ques. What is the salary of a food safety officer?
Ans. The average salary of a food safety officer should be between INR 2-6 LPA. Though the salary may vary depending upon the job roles and with experience.
Ques. Where can a food safety officer work?
Ans. Food safety officers may play out this job as a representative of a independent authority, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They may likewise work for organizations that create and process food products.
Ques. Is pharmacy available for a food safety officer?
Ans. The students who have graduated from Food Tech., Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Veterinary sciences etc., are eligible for the post of food safety officer, whereas pharmacy is removed from the same.
Ques. Can a hotel management student apply to be a food safety officer?
Ans. No, hotel management students are not eligible for the Food safety officer test. The individuals who have finished graduation in Agriculture/Pharmacy/Food Technology/Dairy Technology from a perceived college are likewise qualified to apply for the Food safety officer test.
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