Food science

If you enjoy the process of making food and delivering it to the public safely, food science may be for you!

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Food science discussion guide

Teachers, this discussion guide will help you talk with your students about careers in Food science.

Jobs in food science are expected to grow by 10% by 2020. Food scientists are leaders in food production and processing, quality assurance and control, technical representation in the sale and marketing of foods, food product development, food science research, and regulation and enforcement of food laws.

Those who work in Food Science careers may enjoy developing and/or improving food products, improving consumer food products on the grocery shelves, and discovering new food sources and preservation methods to feed the world. The need for trained food scientists has grown steadily in pace with consumer demands for convenient, safe and nutritious food and beverages. Check out the resources below to learn more.

Careers in Food science

  • Flavor Chemist
  • Food Biotechnologist
  • Food Chemist
  • Food Engineer
  • Food Ingredient Sales
  • Food Inspector
  • Food Microbiologist
  • Food Product Developer
  • Food Safety Inspector
  • Food Toxicologist
  • Laboratory Director
  • Market Researcher
  • Meat Scientist
  • Natural Products Researcher
  • Packaging Specialist
  • Public Health Official
  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Sensory Evaluation Expert
  • Sensory Scientist
  • Technical Sales Representative

Related links

Companies

Nonprofits and Government Agencies

Additional links

Want to know what knowledge, skills and academic courses are needed for this career pathway?

Explore this career pathway at OhioMeansJobs

Food science resources at GNG

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AFNR biotechnology
unit

AFNR biotechnology

6 lessons, 7 files
What are the current issues in biotechnology? There is a lot of resistance to genetic modification and the use of genetically modified crops. What is the science? This unit helps to provide some background in cell function and DNA properties, …
unit
AFNR food science
unit

AFNR food science

6 lessons, 8 files
What is food science? We are bombarded by new foods every time we go into a grocery store or watch television. Where are all of these foods coming from? Food science is the answer. This AFNR unit introduces several …
unit
Beans about water: soybeans and food science
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Beans about water: soybeans and food science

1 lesson, 2 files
What role do soybeans and soy products play in my everyday life? Are soybeans everywhere? Really? Check ingredient labels in a variety of cookies, peanut butter, soups, chips, chocolate candy, microwave popcorn and other processed snacks. Many of the foods we eat …
Video
Biotechnology
Video

Biotechnology

Watch this video to learn about careers with DuPont Pioneer! Matt Stroud, Product Agronomist and Rebekah Peck, Communications Manager talk about their careers with DuPont Pioneer.
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Can you taste the difference? Food science in action
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Can you taste the difference? Food science in action

3 lessons, 6 files
Can you discriminate the difference in taste between two products? When a food company is offering a new product, changing ingredients, or researching potential products, it is important for the company to know what the consumer reaction is likely to be of the …
Video
Food processing
Video

Food processing

Interested in food processing? Watch Dan McGrady, VP of Technical Services and Alicia Sexton, Technologist talk about career opportunities at Wyandot Inc.
Video
Food science
Video

Food science

Jamie Hannen, from T.Marzetti, talks food science and explains the details that go into creating soy-based salad dressings. Check out all the career opportunities that are available within food science, technology, research and development and many …
e-learning
Food science and high-oleic oil
e-learning

Food science and high-oleic oil

What is vegetable oil and what is its chemical structure? How is the chemical structure of oil related to its functionality? Compare saturated and unsaturated fatty acids’ structure and use. Learn about a new, healthier type of cooking oil made from high-oleic soybeans.

e-learning
Food science and technology
e-learning

Food science and technology

How does food science play a role in food production? People with careers in food science and technology work to provide nutritious food for an ever-growing population. Students will identify parts of the nutrition label and the nutritional content and health benefits of food products. They will also learn about different college and career opportunities in the Food Science and Technology industry.

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GMOs go global: should they be labeled?
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GMOs go global: should they be labeled?

5 lessons, 11 files
Should labeling of GMOs be mandatory? What do you know about genetic modification? Is genetic modification helpful or harmful? This unit will help to develop student thinking about genetic modification and food security issues around the …
industry leader
Jamie Hannen
industry leader

Jamie Hannen

Senior Food Scientist—Retail R&D at T. Marzetti Company
food science research and development
industry leader
Keith Masavage
industry leader

Keith Masavage

Founder and Chief Strategist at Biobent Polymers
bioproducts biotechnology business consulting
industry leader
Matthew Stroud
industry leader

Matthew Stroud

Product Agronomist at DuPont Pioneer
dupont pioneer agribusiness agronomist research and development soybeans test plot
unit
Oh soy good! Milk types and food security
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Oh soy good! Milk types and food security

6 lessons, 10 files
How might soymilk, and other types of milk, help ensure food security? Investigate various milk sources and their composition through core disciplines of Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts to discover the availability of milk types within multiple cultures …
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Soybeans: from ballast to biotech
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Soybeans: from ballast to biotech

5 lessons, 5 files
What is the future of biotechnology? Create models to understand DNA and the gene transfer process used in biotechnology. Explore questions: Are there harmful side effects of biotechnology? Can biotech solve world hunger? Should GMO …
unit
Soy in food: What is that doing in there?
unit

Soy in food: What is that doing in there?

4 lessons, 17 files
How does the chemical composition of soybeans impact the characteristics of soy-containing foods? Have you ever looked on a food label and seen soy products on it, even though it wasn’t made from soybeans? This unit explores the various uses of soy in foods and how soy can be used to accomplish …