Food Technician

Introduction

Food technicians work in food manufacturing. They test the safety and quality of food, and may help food scientists and technologists to research new materials and products. In quality assurance, they carry out strict safety tests at various stages in production, looking for harmful chemicals and micro-organisms.

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Work Activities

Food technicians work in food production. They test the safety and quality of food at different stages of the process. They may help to research and develop products including new preservatives or flavours.

The aim of quality assurance is to avoid poor quality food by carrying out tests at key stages of the production process. Food technicians use a very strict procedure called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). This means they can identify problems at each stage of production, and take steps to make sure the food is safe. For example, they test food for harmful micro-organisms that can cause food poisoning.

Technicians test for taste, colour and nutritional content. They make sure that food is processed and stored at the correct temperature. They may use automated machinery to do a large number of tests very quickly.

Technicians also test the materials used to package food, to make sure they meet national and European standards for safety and quality.

For health, safety and hygiene reasons technicians wear protective hats, hairnets, gloves and laboratory coats.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a food technician you will need a good general understanding of scientific techniques. You will also need to understand the principles of food processing and preservation, the composition of food and food hygiene.

You must to be observant and methodical with an eye for detail. You should also be careful and responsible. You must be able to work in teams, and on your own, depending on the demands of different projects.

You need strong number and IT skills to record and analyse test results.

A good sense of taste and smell and normal colour vision are required.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary depending on the company and range of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Food technicians earn in the range of £15,000 - £17,500 a year, rising to £18,000 - £25,000 a year.

Food technicians usually work a basic 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Those working in a production environment may be required to work shifts and work at weekends.

Employers throughout the UK are firms in the food and drink industry. In canneries and deep freeze plants, technicians may work as supervisors and junior production managers.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed skills in the food and drink industry, eg, in food manufacture or processing.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 16% of people in occupations such as food technician work part-time.
• 13% have flexible hours.
• 9% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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