IntroductionFood Science is a coherent and systematic body of knowledge and understanding of the nature and composition of food materials, and their behavior under the various conditions to which they may be subject. Food Technology is the application of food science to practical treatment of food materials so as to convert them into food products of the kind, quality and stability, and so packaged and distributed as to meet the needs of consumers for safe, wholesome, nutritious and attractive foods. A Food Scientist studies the physical, chemical, and biological make-up of food and develops ways using the latest advances in science and technology to process, preserve, and package food according to the specifications of the food industry and the regulations of government.
The Food Science major offers three options. Food biological technologies and food chemistry are recommended for students seeking careers in basic or applied food research, as well as for those preparing for graduate or professional studies in the sciences. The food operations/management option directly prepares students for careers in the food industry.
A Sample of Related Occupations| Educator | Food Production Manager | Production Supervisor |
| Flavor Technologist | Food Science Technologist | Quality Control Manager |
| Flavorist | Food Scientist | Sales & Marketing |
| Food & Drug Inspector | Packaging Developer | Scientist |
| Food Consultant | Plant Manager | Technical Sales Representative |
| Food Product Development Scientist | Product Analyst | |
Types of Employers| Private & Nonprofit Organizations |
| Airlines | Dairy Product Companies | Meat Product Firms |
| Beverage Companies | Flavor & Fragrance Companies | Peace Corps |
| Canning Plants | Food Equipment Manufacturers | Scientific Journals |
| Cereal & Grain Companies | Food Manufacturing Firms | Stabilizer & Emulsifier Organizations |
| Confectionary Companies | Frozen Food Companies | World Health Organization |
| Government Agencies |
| Commerce Department | Department of Health & Human Services | National Institute of Health |
| Defense Department | Food & Drug Administration | State Department |
| Department of Agriculture | Foreign Service | State & Local Public Health Agencies |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates| First Jobs of Recent Graduates |
| Graduate student, Yale Univ., PhD Microbiology | Scientist, KRAFT Foods |
| Flavor Technologist, Flavor Materials Int'l. | Senior Food Scientist Technologist, Int'l. Flavors & Fragrances |
| Lab Technician, Rutgers University | Sensory Coordinator, Hershey Foods Corp. |
| Quality Control Technologist, Haagen Dazs Co. | Technician, Johnson & Johnson |
| Product Development Scientist, Masterfoods | |
| Jobs of Experienced Alumni |
| Consulting Nutritionist, Readers Digest | Scientist, FDA |
| Director of Food Services, New Brunswick Board of Education | Senior Food Technologist, Best Foods |
| Director of Technical Services, Masterfoods USA | Senior Project Leader, T.J. Lipton Co. |
| Food Technologist, R & D, B & G Foods Inc. | Sensory Coordinator, Int'l. Software Consulting, Inc. |
| Manager, Nestle, Inc. | Unit Manager-Ice Cream Manufacturing, Haagen Dazs Co. |
| Research Biochemist, Merck & Co. | VP of R & D, Con-Agra |
| Research Scientist, USDA | VP of R & D, Seagrams |
| Sales Manager, Institute of Food Technologists | VP of R & D/QA, T.J. Lipton Co. |
Additionally, you may:
