Develop, test and improve food products and processing systems to support safe and efficient food production.

You help monitor quality, check ingredients, run tests on flavour and texture, and support the development of new or improved food products. You follow food safety standards, assist with production processes and work with scientists and technologists to ensure food is produced safely, consistently and to required specifications.

For further information:

Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST)
Ph: 0447 066 324
Email: aifst@aifst.com.au
Website: www.aifst.asn.au

TAFE SA offers the Diploma of Food Science and Technology relevant to this occupation. Pathways include the Certificate III in Food Processing.

Still unsure? Then try a short course also offered through TAFE SA. Check the website for the full list of short courses.

A creative flair would also be an asset when developing the documented systems and procedures under the guidance of a quality assurance manager. From a technician's position it is possible to progress to a supervisory position, or to work as a private consultant in this area. Currently, this is a small occupation in terms of workforce that still experiences low turnover.

Food processing technicians can choose to work in one of several areas. They may work with specific foods such as dairy or meat products, undertaking routine analytical testing of raw materials and finished products under controlled conditions. Routine testing includes microbiological tests (used to ensure food is safe to consume) and chemical testing (used to gauge the chemical composition, or additives in food).

Other food processing technicians may choose to work in a particular area of food production such as research and development, quality control, food laboratory analysis or production supervision. What's New! In research and development, food processing technicians help to develop new processing methods and improve current products or create new ones. They repeatedly test and monitor new foods for their microbial content, nutritional value and flavour and appearance before arriving at the final product. Before testing commences, technicians set up a testing station and decide on the most effective testing methods. A wet, analytical testing method installed with an infra-red detector is commonly used to test new ice-cream products for instance. The introduction of automated testing equipment continues to enhance the types of tests carried out in food processing. According to one particular Technical Services Manager, this will continue to lead to shorter turnaround times when producing test results and greater control and efficiency by technicians.

If you have a healthy interest in science, particularly in regard to the chemical and microbiological composition of food and can see yourself working in a food lab-based environment, then you're heading in the right direction by considering this occupation. On a technical level, you will need sharp observational skills, have the ability to interpret and analyse test results and be able to offer suggestions about how processes could be improved. Food processing technicians need to pay attention to detail and adopt a systematic approach to their work tasks as testing relies on following a step-by-step process.