The Food Industry and Community Nutrition
Food processing is the largest manufacturing industry in Australia, fueled by consumer demand for high-quality, safe, convenient food. To keep up with this demand the food processing industry needs well-qualified graduates with expertise in food science, nutrition and the technology required for efficient food processing.
The challenge for the food technologist is to increase the variety and improve the quality and nutritional value of foods people consume, while at the same time maintaining affordability through efficient manufacture.
Application of nutritional knowledge is becoming increasingly important to the industry as the community demands more nutritious foods, and more information on the nutritional content of currently available foods.
Graduates are employed in a wide range of areas related to food processing: research, production, analysis, development, standards, waste management, packaging, marketing, services, purchasing and training.
Most graduates find work in private food processing companies, ranging from small specialist processors to large multinational corporations. Apart from a small number who work as educators, many also find work in government departments, organisations such as the CSIRO, regulatory authorities such as the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, and in service industries such as equipment and ingredient suppliers.
More attention is being paid to food safety and many graduates find opportunities in quality management ? tasks such as establishing quality systems, laboratory testing, and determining the most hygienic manufacturing processes.
Career Opportunities in Food Science and Technology
Many varied careers for a food technologist or scientist exist within the food industry. Many graduates find well paid positions in R&D and quality assurance laboratories and in processing plants - helping create, monitor, sample and test food products. Other career entry points include sales, predominantly with ingredient manufacturers, and in marketing communications, either in advertising, the media or public relations. Graduates may be employed in the food industry or retail sector, in product development or marketing, in consumer education or community nutrition. Graduates with experience, and often postgraduate qualifications, go on to supervisory or management positions.
Career Opportunities in Food Nutrition
Careers as a nutritionist exist in the food industry for food nutirionists, or in the community as community and public health nutritionists; as a clinical nutritionists; or as a nutritionists in the fitness industry.
Key growth areas in food science, food nutrition and food technology
The food processing industry is predicted to exhibit above-average national growth because of modern lifestyle trends and because the industry has access to one of the world's most efficient and diversified agricultural sectors. Australia can supply off-season food products to the northern hemisphere and Australian agriculture benefits from low levels of environmental pollution. Key areas identified for future career prospects and development are product quality, product development and innovation, customer service, customer acceptance and satisfaction, manufacturing cost and effectiveness, and marketing and distribution efficiency. As people become more health conscious they demand processed food that is nutritious, tasty and attractively packaged - and that's the challenge for food technologists and nutritionists of the future. Nutrition is also a key issue for public health programs in both developed and developing countries. Graduates with nutrition and food science knowledge will play an important role in liaising between the food industry, health authorities, and the communitiy over food nutrition and health issues. They may become involved in research, promotion and education. A topical issue is food supplementation with micronutrients to remedy nutrient deficiencies in the population.
Where the work is for food scientists and food technologists
Many graduates take the opportunity to work interstate, most of the industry workforce being in Victoria and New South Wales. However, local opportunities are strong with about 20% of Australian jobs available in Queensland, while the University of Queensland offers the only food technology course north of Newcastle. The bulk of the State's processing industry is in south-east Queensland.
Job satisfaction for food scientists and food technologists
Starting salaries are attractive with longer-term potential for high income in either the managerial or research strands. Catering to consumer needs, this is an industry which requires, and rewards, those with initiative, good powers of observation, and developed ability for accuracy. For those successful in the industry, the rewards are more than financial - it is the knowledge that they are at the cutting edge of the application of modern science and technology to satisfy society's needs.